An MP has alleged Boris Johnson and Evgeny Lebedev complained to the Speaker after his question about the Prime Minister attending a party at the peer’s Italian palazzo.

The Shadow Minister for Higher Education and Warwick and Leamington MP, Matt Western, says he fears the pair coordinated to ‘silence him’ and sought to police his language in Parliament.

He says he was summoned to the Speaker’s office the day after Prime Minister’s Questions on March 23.

In a letter sent to Boris Johnson today (August 24), Mr Western alleges the Speaker and House of Commons officials informed him they had received a written statement of complaint from Number 10 Downing Street, and another from Lord Lebedev the same morning.

In his question, Mr Western referred to allegations that the Prime Minister had attended the notoriously lavish parties hosted by Russian oligarch and media tycoon Lord Lebedev at his castle in Perugia.

The Labour MP described them as ‘bunga bunga’ parties, drawing parallels with the notorious sex gatherings held by former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.

In the exchange, Mr Western said: “A fantasy castle. Perhaps Snow White too.

“Certainly girls, girls, girls were promised at a party (which was) less Burlesque, more Berlusconi.”

Mr Western concluded: “Given that his many weaknesses could leave him open to blackmail, why does the Prime Minister think that MI6 may not entirely trust him?”

The head of MI6 Sir John Sawyers first raised alarm when the Prime Minister recommended his long-time friend for a peerage in 2020.

Lord Lededev’s father, Alexander, is a former KGB officer and a billionaire Russian oligarch with ties to Putin.

His newspaper empire includes The London Evening Standard and The Independent, ownership of which he now shares with his son.

In response to the question, Mr Johnson rebutted: “I’m afraid I simply failed to detect any crouton of substance in the minestrone of nonsense he’s just spoken.”

Less than a week later, Lord Lebedev Tweeted Mr Western saying: “Can I remind Matt Western that it’s not what ‘the former minister’ said.

“In the future he should either provide some evidence for this nonsense he speaks, or keep his mouth shut.”

During a hearing of the Commons liaison committee in July, the Prime Minister eventually admitted to meeting with Alexander at the party while he was still Foreign Secretary in April 2018 – without officials present.

The meeting took place only weeks after the nerve agent poisonings in Salisbury, thought to have been perpetrated by Russian operatives, and immediately after a confidential NATO meeting concerning Russia.

Mr Western told us: “I’m sure the public, like me, would be interested to know whether he and Lebedev coordinated to intimidate and silence me following my question?

“That’s why I’ve submitted a Freedom of Information request to establish whether there was communication between Number 10 and Lord Lebedev in the hours and days that followed Prime Minister’s Questions.

“The public also deserves to know the extent of Boris Johnson’s relationship with the Lebedevs, particularly Alexander – and when meetings between them, which could have threatened our national security, have taken place.”

Mr Johnson has always suggested it was a private, social event and he did not take ministerial papers with him nor discuss work.

MP Matt Western has called for an end to sewage dumping in seas and rivers after cases rose by 67% in Warwick and Leamington in a year.

The Warwick and Leamington MP has accused the government of enabling private water firms ‘make a killing at the public’s expense.’

Environment Agency data shows there have been over 470,000 intentional sewage discharges in the UK last year.

This includes 204 dumps into Warwick and Leamington rivers and waterways, which is up by 83 (67%) in just a year.

An analysis of the data by website ‘Top of the Poops’ shows the number of hours refuse was spewed into local waterways increased by nearly 600 in a year, to reach 1,350 hours.

Mr Western called for industry reform and increased regulation – including urgent funding being granted to the Environment Agency.

“The Conservatives are standing by as our rivers and seashores run brown with sewage and while private water company executives and shareholders make a killing at our expense,” he said.

“Astonishingly, 204 discharges represent a low number compared with hundreds of constituencies across the country.

“Regrettably most other MPs in Warwickshire voted to continue to allow sewage dumps in our rivers, waterways and seas when they had the chance to outlaw them last year.

“Perhaps surprisingly, Severn Trent, the supplier for Warwick and Leamington, is responsible for the second most sewage discharges of all UK providers.

“Bear in mind that, despite all of this, executive salaries and bonuses have scandalously risen by a fifth on last year.

“Action must be taken so that our water network is run in the interests of the public and our environment – and not profits and shareholders.

“More funding for the Environment Agency – which has seen its budgets slashed by half in 10 years – and stricter punishments would potential ways to achieve this.

“Enough is enough. Only Labour is prepared to hold these companies to account.”

All the private water firms that control the UK’s network were found to have missed targets for tackling pollution or sewage spills last year.

This includes Severn Trent which was fined £1.5m for discharges while its chief executive earned a £3.9m salary – making her the best paid of all the UK’s water firm bosses.

In 2021, Severn Trent allowed nearly 60,000 monitored spills of raw sewage into our waters which lasted 461,135 hours – which is equivalent to more than 50 years!

In total, it allowed at least 1,231 sewage dumps into the River Avon and 386 into the River Leam.

Water UK – which represents the nation’s water suppliers – says only 14% of England’s rivers are rated as being in a good condition.

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An MP’s coffee morning has raised nearly £1,700 for a cancer charity after help from a Harry Potter and Game of Thrones star.

Warwick and Leamington MP Matt Western organised the event last Friday (September 30) at The Gap Community Centre in Oakwood Grove, Warwick.

It raised more than £1,650 for Macmillan cancer charity, smashing Mr Western’s initial target of only £500.

He was joined by actor David Bradley who is known for his roles in the Harry Potter films, TV series Game of Thrones, Doctor Who and his performances at the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) in Stratford.

A chance to meet Mr Bradley along with a bake-off attracted about 70 people to the event over the duration of the morning.

Mr Western said: “Thank you so much to everyone who attended. It exceeded my wildest expectations.

“We almost packed out the hall at the community centre, and it was great to see so many familiar and unfamiliar faces.

“The bake-off attracted some great entries with the amazing Jammie Dodger Cheesecake, made by a lady and her daughters, the winner on the day.

“We’re hoping she will send through her details to us but please contact me if you know who she was so we can get the prize to her!

“I fear my Victoria Sponge made in a rush at 7am that morning couldn’t quite compete with some of the delicious flapjacks, brownies, cakes, baklava and other treats that bakers brought along – though David, our judge, seemed to enjoy it.

“I also caught up with Andy, who is suffering from a terminal brain tumour, and his partner Jenny.

“It was important for me to hear what life is like for him and how things can still improve for cancer sufferers.

“Speaking with him reminded me why these fundraising mornings are so important.”

Mr Western added that he hoped to make the coffee morning an annual event in the constituency.

He is still appealing for donations. To donate, click here: https://dc.thyngs.net/10919/Experience?code=BUS007637389&time=10%2f03%2f2022+11%3a20%3a09.699972&appUserID=3ec9d806-2ac7-4ba1-abf6-21610397dfa8&thyngDetailID=4085448&valid=lnJKWs1lyXIaa8qZH2oV4E9n1X2vRU5b9Fm7oFz3wm5oWKffQjUpIVKcdEHasBdKaYeH7p2YBA9xpId8RC%2f%2b3Q%3d%3d&goalType=DONATION_AND_GIFTAID&meta=#!/

The past ten days have been a period for not just mourning Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth but also one of national reflection.

Indeed, during this time, I chose not to use social media other than to echo thoughts on the impact of the Queen’s passing. This was a protocol suggested by Buckingham Palace and one that I have respected. It is now fitting to update you on my thoughts and reflection of this past week.

A week ago on Saturday I gave a tribute to Her Late Majesty with a speech in the House of Commons Chamber.

On the Sunday I was able to attend two church services at St Mary’s, Warwick, and All Saints Parish Church, Leamington, as well as the Proclamation.

Then on Monday, I bore witness to the moving speech by His Majesty King Charles III in Westminster Hall, a rare occasion when both Houses – the Lords and Commons – are jointly invited to an address. The last such occasion was for President Obama and before that for Nelson Mandela.

I was also able to pay my respects to the Queen as she lay in state in Westminster Hall.

Elsewhere, I also wrote messages in the books of condolence in Leamington’s Pump Rooms and in Westminster.

So many people have wanted to share with me their feeling of loss and I was struck by the sentiment and the sincerity of the messages with flowers that many constituents had left to Her Late Majesty.

Among those was the oft repeated thought that it was her reassurance and constancy providing us with direction in times of uncertainty that will be missed. Yes, she will be greatly missed.

She was our constant in a changing world.

I get the sense that she meant more to people than many knew themselves.

Elsewhere, independent pubs and breweries, cafes and restaurants as well as more general businesses in Warwick and Leamington are seeing their energy prices more than triple in some cases.

Some are weeks away from crisis. We’ve already lost several treasured pubs during the pandemic, and we don’t want to lose any more.

Reports suggest that support will not come until November. But we cannot wait.

I’ve twice written to the Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi and the Energy Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng demanding an immediate plan to support small businesses.

I’ve included anonymous comments from business owners in our towns to exemplify the desperate situation so many are facing.

A pub owner told me: “The thought of telling the team after all the sacrifice we have made and the money we have put in that the journey is over, and they are jobless due to this is going to keep me awake for a long time.”

Another owner of an automotive firm said: “I’ve never been one to join a march or protest, in the belief that we vote for a government, so they should govern; but the country is on the verge of disaster and action is needed NOW.”

If action is not taken soon, these businesses could be gone.

An MP has paid tribute to ‘hero’ firefighters one year on from a major chemicals fire that shook Leamington.

The blaze at the Leeson Polyurethanes factory in Juno Drive, south Leamington, happened one year ago this week on August 27.

Warwick and Leamington MP Matt Western says he remembers the explosions and the cloud of smoke which loomed across the towns.

He says firefighters across Warwickshire and other areas of the country, but particularly the first responders in Leamington, prevented a potentially major catastrophe.

Mr Western also paid tribute to much-loved factory worker David Boswell who died in the fire.

In recognising the efforts of Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service for his MP Community Awards in February, he spoke with firefighters at the station who described the day of the fire.

One firefighter, a former Afghanistan veteran, said it was the scariest and most dangerous situation he had been involved in since he returned from war.

Mr Western said: “The public is so appreciative of what the firefighters did that day.

“I can’t remember a day in Leamington’s recent history where there was so much fear and uncertainty.

“We didn’t know how bad it could get.

“It was not long after the Beirut explosion in Lebanon which also involved chemicals and I was fearing the worst-case scenario.

“But the actions of the firefighters I spoke with who contained the fire in a matter of minutes potentially saved lives and serious loss of property that day.

“The public rarely gets to hear from these heroes who work hard all year round for little reward.

“But I hope the descriptions from Jon and Will really humanise the risks they take and the sacrifices they make to keep us all safe.

“My thoughts are with the family of David Boswell this week.”

On the day of the fire, emergency services urged nearby residents to stay indoors and close windows due to the factory containing chemicals.

Households within 100 metres of the blaze were also evacuated.

Firefighters from Oxfordshire, Northamptonshire and as far as Manchester were deployed to contain it.

There were more than 20 fire tenders who were immediately sent to manage the inferno, including Jon and Will.

[END]

Approved plans for two flat blocks in south Leamington with no affordable housing will ‘not go ahead’, Warwick District Council has confirmed.

The council has been forced to overturn the controversial decision taken by the planning committee earlier this month.

It gave the green light to an application for two new purpose-built accommodation blocks with 90 bed spaces in Court Street.

The Liberal Democrat chair of the committee Alan Boad used his casting vote to block deferral and instead grant approval by three votes to two.

Warwick and Leamington MP Matt Western has criticised the decision for going against its own housing policy and national planning legislation.

He also raised concerns about the flats damaging businesses and environmental charity Action 21.

But he says that last week he was assured by council leader Andrew Day the plans would not proceed.

He later received an email from the council’s portfolio holder for housing and assets, Councillor Jan Matecki.

It states: “I can confirm that even though the developer has obtained planning permission for the site, I and WDC will not be agreeing for the scheme to go ahead.”

Mr Western says Liberal Democrat councillor Mr Boad was wrong to approve the application – even though the council’s own policy requires two fifths of homes in large developments to be affordable.

“We know the Conservative councillors are not serious about building social housing and truly affordable homes for people in the district – they have a miserable record,” Mr Western said.

“But the Liberal Democrats have now also shown their true colours – as it is unconscionable to approve such a major development when it will price out people on low incomes.

“This is an embarrassing U-turn for the council and, unfortunately, it is not the first time we’ve seen a volte face over developments without affordable housing.

“The ill-fated Riverside House council offices plan also went against the council’s own policy for the number of affordable homes – and has cost the taxpayer a great deal despite its failure.

“We must have social rent, council, well insulated and net-zero housing to tackle the housing crisis.

“If we don’t, it is only highly profitable developers – and not their tenants – who reap the benefits.”

Plans in 2016 for housing on the same site were eventually shelved, despite 40% of the proposed homes being affordable.

The proposed blocks would be built over the current site of Action 21’s shop, which recycles second-hand goods including bicycles, as well as several other long-standing businesses and would require them to find alternative locations.

The charity’s chair of trustees Belinda Pyke fears it will be very difficult to find a new home if it loses the site in Court Street.

A failed merger between Warwick and Stratford councils has cost district taxpayers nearly £160,000.

Warwick and Leamington MP Matt Western says the Conservative leaderships of the district councils have spurned the money despite years of council tax rises and a cost-of-living crisis.

But Warwick District Council, in response to Mr Western’s Freedom of Information request, has insisted the long-term savings gained from combining services will leave it in a ‘net-beneficial position.’

A combined sum of £320,000 was spent by the two councils on the merger before it broke down – including nearly £160,000 by Warwick District Council.

Councillors backed plans in December to merge services with neighbouring Stratford District Council ahead of the creation of a South Warwickshire authority by 2024.

The decision came after the councils’ costly public consultation which conveyed no clear-cut support for the proposal.

Mr Western launched his own petition calling for a referendum to enable the public to have the final say on any local government restructuring in the region. It gained nearly 1,800 signatures.

The council insists cost savings – including from combining waste services, having a joint Local Plan for housing and development, and instating a joint legal team – will leave it more than £1m better off over the next several years.

It also conceded that only £10,000 in savings have so far been achieved.

Mr Western says the loss of at least £157,559 at this time is a huge blow to the public – while it remains to be seen whether savings will be realised.

He also says he’s concerned the breakdown of the merger will pave the way for Warwickshire County Council to form a unitary authority.

“I’ve opposed this ill-fated merger from the start and, though no doubt savings will be made, in this difficult moment our taxpayers need stability, security and wise investment,” said Mr Western.

“Residents have endured rising council tax for more than a decade and national tax rises will also hit them hard.

“A lot of the services the council says will result in savings involve billing the public anyway, like the 123+ bin collection service.

“These are additional income streams not mentioned by the Conservatives in their 2019 manifesto.

“Other stealth taxes have been announced like the rise in car parking and parking permits costs, as well as rent rises, and service charge increases from April.

“Meanwhile price hikes for buses, trains, shopping, petrol, gas and electricity are crippling families.

“This was a massive gamble taken by the council to win a local Conservative Party power game – taking precedent over the prosperity of residents.

“Any changes should have been put to the people in a referendum.”

Warwick District Council leader Andrew Day took questions from councillors last week about the failure of the merger – with many in favour of it blaming Stratford’s leadership for its breakdown.

“Irreconcilable differences” and concerns over Warwick District Council’s wholly owned housing company Milverton Homes were cited as reasons for Stratford pulling out of the deal.

Mr Western says the liability for any losses associated with Milverton Homes may have put Stratford off committing to the merger.

As part of the total cost, Warwick District Council paid £22,000 for a joint report into the merger by consultancy firm Deloitte, £31,750 for the public consultation and around £12,000 for a report on a new shared office.

A request to cancel the planned merger will now be submitted to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

Residents with family hiding from the Taliban have questioned the difference in generosity between Ukrainian and Afghan refugee resettlement schemes.

Warwick and Leamington MP Matt Western has written to Home Secretary Priti Patel to raise his constituents’ concerns over the Government’s ‘double standards.’

They compare the 27,000 Ukrainian refugees that have already taken up residence in the UK and the ‘begrudging’ commitment to resettle only 7,500 Afghans this year.

Barely two months after Russia’s invasion, another 86,000 Ukrainian refugees have been granted visas to live in the UK – while more than 200,000 Brits have signed up to the Homes for Ukraine scheme.

It launched about six weeks ago and allows people to offer accommodation to those fleeing the war-torn nation.

Though the Ukraine schemes have been plagued with problems, those who contacted Mr Western perceive that much greater efforts have been made to resettle Ukrainians than Afghans.

This is despite the UK’s involvement in the 20-year military intervention that ended with the Taliban unexpectedly storming to power last August after western troops withdrew.

In stark contrast to those for Ukrainians, the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS) took five months to become operational, is open to a maximum of 20,000 refugees and is not yet open to anyone outside the UK.

Only 7,000 people have been resettled under the Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy (ARAP) which is mainly intended for those who assisted the British military with its operations in the country.

In total, more than 18,000 Afghans had been evacuated to the UK by early March – but many thousands have been forced to live in temporary hotel accommodation and await visas.

In the letter to Ms Patel, Mr Western wrote: “Many of the people I am trying to assist were involved with civic society in Afghanistan prior to the Taliban taking power – and are in danger as a result.

“They and their relatives have seen the UK Government’s response to the war in Ukraine, and they cannot help but feel they were not offered the same.

“Their experience was quite different, with strict criteria determining who could and who could not be evacuated – despite their own families’ willingness and ability to house and support them.

“I therefore urge you and your colleagues to capitalise on the British public’s obvious openness to accepting those fleeing war zones, to intensify efforts to create a route for relatives to join their families in the UK.”

As we reported, Mr Western’s office was supporting more than 20 families from Warwick and Leamington who wanted to accommodate their relatives stranded in Afghanistan.

Whitnash resident Shabnam Nishat has been fighting to get her mother safely to the UK ever since.

She was a municipal politician in Afghanistan and worked with the UN and international charities on women’s rights and child poverty.

She says the Taliban is hunting her mother, has beaten her brother within an inch of his life and her father died of a stroke without access to medical care.

“My mother calls me in the night saying that she can’t sleep because she fears someone is coming to kill her,” she said.

“Life in Afghanistan is particularly horrible for women like my mother.

“Her old colleague was recently taken by the Taliban, and no one has heard from her since.

“But when the Ukraine war started – they forget all about my country and my family.

“We desperately need help, but the Government does not care.

“We are not white or European, but we need help.

“People are all the same. We must help everyone.”

A major bus operator has threatened not to serve a planned 200-home ‘mega cul-de-sac’ estate in south Leamington.

Developer AC Lloyd is seeking approval for the final details of the controversial development off Chesterton Gardens estate in Sydenham, Whitnash.

But Stagecoach – which operates many of the district’s buses – has now lodged an objection to the plans along with nearly 70 others.

Warwick and Leamington MP Matt Western claims residents could be left stranded and isolated without regular and reliable bus services – and would be forced into their cars.

The initial proposals were approved by the independent Planning Inspectorate last August when it upheld the developer’s appeal against Warwick District Council’s (WDC) rejection of the plans.

A supporting application has now been lodged which, if given the green light, would pave the way for up to 500 homes to be built on the site.

The developer’s latest application submitted last month seeks final approval for ‘road infrastructure, public open space and landscaping.’

But in an official objection, Commercial Director for Stagecoach Midlands Patrick Stringer said: “Accordingly, we re-emphasise that we could not look to extend our service 67 into the application site as currently proposed.

“There is no real provision within the proposed or immediately adjoining development to effectively support a commercially sustainable bus service.”

He added that the plans are out of keeping with WDC’s Local Plan for housing up to 2029, and do not meet expectations of ‘proper and timely delivery of infrastructure to support development, and the support of measures to properly facilitate sustainable modes (of transport).’

Mr Stringer then outlines the firm’s demands including reconsideration of the number of bus stops, services, and the directions from which they travel into the estate.

Most objections to the scheme are from residents, but they also include Warwickshire County Council’s Highways Authority, its Ecological Service and Leamington Spa Town Council.

Mr Western – who has spearheaded the campaign against the development since 2015 – says the objections are a major blow to WDC and AC Lloyd.

“These fresh objections are yet more evidence the proposed development is unsuitable and unsustainable,” he said.

“With no bus services, residents on the estate will have to walk 30 minutes or more to buy shopping from Morrisons and even further to get into Leamington.

“Residents and my Labour colleagues are rightly calling for firm plans to build a second access which would ease the strain on Sydenham’s limited road capacity.

“But now bus services are under threat, it will push even more cars on to the narrow roads and make the estate seem even more inescapable.

“We’ve seen elsewhere in the district the problems of ‘island’ or cul-de-sac communities stranded with inadequate infrastructure.

“If regular and dependable bus services cannot be guaranteed, this damaging development must not go ahead.”

The original plans were twice rejected by councillors on WDC planning committee early last year.

This was primarily due to the lack of a second access road and widespread opposition from residents.

Mr Western also says the development is not needed because of calculations that show, at the current trajectory of applications granted and sites earmarked for development, almost 4,000 surplus homes could be built in Warwick district by 2029.

He also says the Office for National Statistics housing need calculations for the district are likely too high, as conceded by the Office for Statistics Regulation.

[END]

Hundreds of millions of pounds of taxpayers’ cash have been ‘wasted’ on the delayed and under-capacity Leamington Covid testing mega-laboratory.

An investigation by The Independent newspaper has found it processed thousands of incorrect test results and is subject to major health and safety concerns.

The probe was assisted by Warwick and Leamington MP Matt Western who supplied contacts, information and asked Parliamentary questions.

The Rosalind Franklin Laboratory – the centrepiece of the Government’s Test and Trace network – formally opened six months late in July last year.

The laboratory in Juno Drive, off Queensway, is still only working at about 20% per cent capacity with doubts persisting over whether it will ever reach full working order.

The newspaper makes multiple serious allegations including suggestions of ‘spiralling costs’, cover ups and that a worker nearly died on site.

Sources cited in the investigation claim the project could be hundreds of millions of pounds overbudget with an initial £588million allocated to it. A senior source claims that by November more than £1.1billion had been spent on the laboratory.

The articles alleges that the site is now ‘under review’ and efforts were made to ‘pull the plug’ on the project.

It references construction delays, inadequate training, sample contamination, rat infestations, Covid outbreaks and staff misconduct.

As we reported, Mr Western has long been investigating the laboratory after he accused the government of ignoring his concerns about its opening date, the costs to the taxpayer and its association with multiple private companies.

He was told last summer that four laboratory lines of the 12 intended to become operational were to be scrapped.

The government had boasted the laboratory would be able to process 300,000 tests per day – which was then revised down to 100,000.

But the laboratory is believed to be processing no more than 30,000 per day, insiders suggested. Though it was getting through a much lower figure before October last year

Mr Western said: “It is such a relief the serious issues with the mega-laboratory have finally come to the surface.

“For months my team and I have been investigating the concerns of the workforce and the community.

“We were made aware of government-awarded contracts overrunning, staff being mistreated by recruitment companies and widespread operational challenges – resulting in severe delays to the project.

“Of course, I want the laboratory to be an asset for the Warwick and Leamington community, for it to provide valuable jobs and for the persisting challenges to be overcome.

“But this involves openness, transparency, and willingness to engage with the public, the media and elected officials.

“Unfortunately, senior figures and the DHSC have behaved in the opposite fashion – while staff are coerced into silence.

“The contamination, and false positives that were processed, are extremely serious allegations – and must be investigated.

“And the extent of the waste of taxpayers’ money – unfortunately characteristic of this government – must be confirmed by the Department for Health.

“I call on local partners to work together to salvage a scheme that, eventually, could put Leamington on the map – for the right reasons.”

Internal mails obtained last summer revealed 31 lab support technicians, days before they were due to start work, were informed they would be paid for the foreseeable future to remain at home due to delays – which the newspaper claims cost the taxpayer tens of thousands of pounds.

At that point hundreds of staff had been waiting to start work but were unable to due to delays.

It is believed hundreds could still be cut from the 1,600-strong workforce, extinguishing hopes of 2,000 new jobs to the area which were initially promised by the government.

It is the only remaining functioning Test and Trace diagnostics laboratory across the whole network.

[END]