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Sudan crisis: 'Paramilitary unit' puts Khartoum under lockdown
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-48512413
Sudanese paramilitary forces are pushing deeper into Khartoum, witnesses say, after a crackdown on protesters killed at least 30 people on Monday.
Heavily armed members of the Rapid Support Forces are said to be fanning out across the capital and the neighbouring city of Omdurman, clearing barricades and firing into the air.
The military has faced international condemnation for the deadly crackdown.
It has ended a pact with the protesters over a transition to civilian rule.
The two sides had initially agreed a three-year transition, culminating in elections. On Monday, however, the Transitional Military Council (TMC) said polls would be held within nine months.
The demonstrators had argued that a longer period was needed in order to guarantee fair elections and dismantle the political network associated with the former government of President Omar al-Bashir.
After 30 years in power, Mr Bashir was overthrown by the military in April, amid pressure from the protesters.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-48512413
Sudanese paramilitary forces are pushing deeper into Khartoum, witnesses say, after a crackdown on protesters killed at least 30 people on Monday.
Heavily armed members of the Rapid Support Forces are said to be fanning out across the capital and the neighbouring city of Omdurman, clearing barricades and firing into the air.
The military has faced international condemnation for the deadly crackdown.
It has ended a pact with the protesters over a transition to civilian rule.
The two sides had initially agreed a three-year transition, culminating in elections. On Monday, however, the Transitional Military Council (TMC) said polls would be held within nine months.
The demonstrators had argued that a longer period was needed in order to guarantee fair elections and dismantle the political network associated with the former government of President Omar al-Bashir.
After 30 years in power, Mr Bashir was overthrown by the military in April, amid pressure from the protesters.
Filibuster_HK
Conte is only a compromise of the two parties, he did not hold any political office before becoming PM. It is quite possible to have an early election as Five Star suffered in European Election.
Filibuster_HK
Denmark election: Social Democrats win as PM concedes defeat
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-48535939
Denmark's Liberal Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen has conceded victory in the country's general election, paving the way for Social Democrat leader Mette Frederiksen to take power.
"We had a really good election, but there will be a change of government," the prime minister told supporters.
The Social Democrats won 91 of the 179 seats in parliament.
At 41, Ms Frederiksen is set to be the country's youngest ever prime minister.
The general election was dominated by debates over climate change, welfare cuts and immigration.Mr Rasmussen's Liberal Party has been in power for 14 of the last 18 years.
The exit polls suggested that support for the far-right Danish People's Party (DF) had more than halved since the last election in 2015.
The party has offered its support to successive right-wing governments over the past two decades in exchange for stricter policies on immigration.
But with major parties, including the Social Democrats, adopting restrictive immigration policies in this election, observers say the DF has lost its unique appeal.
Denmark is to become the third Nordic country in a year to elect a leftist government, following Sweden and Finland.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-48535939
Denmark's Liberal Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen has conceded victory in the country's general election, paving the way for Social Democrat leader Mette Frederiksen to take power.
"We had a really good election, but there will be a change of government," the prime minister told supporters.
The Social Democrats won 91 of the 179 seats in parliament.
At 41, Ms Frederiksen is set to be the country's youngest ever prime minister.
The general election was dominated by debates over climate change, welfare cuts and immigration.Mr Rasmussen's Liberal Party has been in power for 14 of the last 18 years.
The exit polls suggested that support for the far-right Danish People's Party (DF) had more than halved since the last election in 2015.
The party has offered its support to successive right-wing governments over the past two decades in exchange for stricter policies on immigration.
But with major parties, including the Social Democrats, adopting restrictive immigration policies in this election, observers say the DF has lost its unique appeal.
Denmark is to become the third Nordic country in a year to elect a leftist government, following Sweden and Finland.
Filibuster_HK
Sudan crisis: Opposition rejects offer of talks amid bloody crackdown
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-48535165
Sudanese opposition activists have rejected an offer of talks from the country's military council, saying it cannot be trusted amid a violent crackdown on protesters.
Doctors linked to the opposition on Wednesday said at least 100 people had been killed by a paramilitary unit in the capital, Khartoum.
They said 40 bodies were pulled from the River Nile in Khartoum on Tuesday.
Residents told the BBC they were living in fear in the capital.
The deputy head of the military council defended the violent suppression, claiming that the protesters had been infiltrated by rogue elements and drug dealers.
"We will not allow chaos and we will not go back on our convictions. There is no way back. We must impose the respect of the country by law," said Mohammed Hamadan - also known as Hemedti - on Wednesday.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-48535165
Sudanese opposition activists have rejected an offer of talks from the country's military council, saying it cannot be trusted amid a violent crackdown on protesters.
Doctors linked to the opposition on Wednesday said at least 100 people had been killed by a paramilitary unit in the capital, Khartoum.
They said 40 bodies were pulled from the River Nile in Khartoum on Tuesday.
Residents told the BBC they were living in fear in the capital.
The deputy head of the military council defended the violent suppression, claiming that the protesters had been infiltrated by rogue elements and drug dealers.
"We will not allow chaos and we will not go back on our convictions. There is no way back. We must impose the respect of the country by law," said Mohammed Hamadan - also known as Hemedti - on Wednesday.
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Peterborough by-election: Labour beats Brexit Party to hold seat
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-48532869
The Labour Party has narrowly seen off a challenge from the Brexit Party and held on to its seat in the Peterborough by-election.
Union activist Lisa Forbes managed to retain the seat for Labour, winning 683 more votes than Nigel Farage's candidate Mike Greene.
Paul Bristow for the Conservatives came in third place.
The by-election was called after former MP Fiona Onasanya's conviction for lying over a speeding offence.
Ms Onasanya was dismissed from the Labour Party in December 2018 and was jailed for three months in January.
Constituents backed a recall petition demanding a fresh election, the first time this has happened in the UK.
Labour won a 31% share of the vote, with 10,484, down 17% on the 2017 election.
The Brexit Party won 29% of the votes with 9,801, with the Conservatives taking a 21% share with 7,243 votes.
A total of 15 candidates stood in the by-election, including Beki Selleck for the Lib Dems, and John Whitby for UKIP, with the Brexit Party vying for its first MP after gaining 29 seats in the European elections.
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-48532869
The Labour Party has narrowly seen off a challenge from the Brexit Party and held on to its seat in the Peterborough by-election.
Union activist Lisa Forbes managed to retain the seat for Labour, winning 683 more votes than Nigel Farage's candidate Mike Greene.
Paul Bristow for the Conservatives came in third place.
The by-election was called after former MP Fiona Onasanya's conviction for lying over a speeding offence.
Ms Onasanya was dismissed from the Labour Party in December 2018 and was jailed for three months in January.
Constituents backed a recall petition demanding a fresh election, the first time this has happened in the UK.
Labour won a 31% share of the vote, with 10,484, down 17% on the 2017 election.
The Brexit Party won 29% of the votes with 9,801, with the Conservatives taking a 21% share with 7,243 votes.
A total of 15 candidates stood in the by-election, including Beki Selleck for the Lib Dems, and John Whitby for UKIP, with the Brexit Party vying for its first MP after gaining 29 seats in the European elections.
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Exclusive: U.S. will not accept more Turkish F-35 pilots over Russia defenses - sources
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-turkey-f35-exclusive/exclusive-u-s-will-not-accept-more-turkish-f-35-pilots-over-russia-defenses-sources-idUSKCN1T802O
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States has decided to stop accepting any additional Turkish pilots who planned to come to the United States to train on F-35 fighter jets, U.S. officials say, in a clear sign of the escalating dispute over Ankara’s plans to purchase Russian air defenses.
The two NATO allies have sparred publicly for months over Turkey’s order for Russia’s S-400 air defense system, which Washington says poses a threat to the Lockheed Martin Corp F-35 stealthy fighters, which Turkey also plans to buy.
The United States says Turkey cannot have both, but has avoided taking steps until now to curtail or halt planned training of Turkish pilots in the program, a reprisal that could be seen as an embarrassment in Turkey.
The two U.S. officials, who spoke to Reuters this week on condition of anonymity, left open the possibility the decision could be reversed, perhaps if Turkey altered its plans. They said the decision so far only applied to upcoming rounds of Turkish pilots and maintenance crews who would have normally come to the United States.
There has not yet been a formal decision to halt the training of the Turkish pilots and maintenance crews now at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona, the sources said. Still, Reuters reported last week that the step was being seriously considered.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-turkey-f35-exclusive/exclusive-u-s-will-not-accept-more-turkish-f-35-pilots-over-russia-defenses-sources-idUSKCN1T802O
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States has decided to stop accepting any additional Turkish pilots who planned to come to the United States to train on F-35 fighter jets, U.S. officials say, in a clear sign of the escalating dispute over Ankara’s plans to purchase Russian air defenses.
The two NATO allies have sparred publicly for months over Turkey’s order for Russia’s S-400 air defense system, which Washington says poses a threat to the Lockheed Martin Corp F-35 stealthy fighters, which Turkey also plans to buy.
The United States says Turkey cannot have both, but has avoided taking steps until now to curtail or halt planned training of Turkish pilots in the program, a reprisal that could be seen as an embarrassment in Turkey.
The two U.S. officials, who spoke to Reuters this week on condition of anonymity, left open the possibility the decision could be reversed, perhaps if Turkey altered its plans. They said the decision so far only applied to upcoming rounds of Turkish pilots and maintenance crews who would have normally come to the United States.
There has not yet been a formal decision to halt the training of the Turkish pilots and maintenance crews now at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona, the sources said. Still, Reuters reported last week that the step was being seriously considered.
Filibuster_HK
Theresa May formally quits as Conservative leader to pave way for official leadership contest
https://news.sky.com/story/theresa-may-formally-quits-as-conservative-leader-to-pave-way-for-official-leadership-contest-11736987
Theresa May has formally resigned as Conservative Party leader to pave the way for the official start of the contest to replace her in 10 Downing Street.
Officials from the Tories' 1922 committee confirmed the prime minister has quit as the party's leader.
But she will stay on as acting leader until her successor has been elected.
Conservative MPs have until 5pm on Monday to formally apply to enter the leadership election.
https://news.sky.com/story/theresa-may-formally-quits-as-conservative-leader-to-pave-way-for-official-leadership-contest-11736987
Theresa May has formally resigned as Conservative Party leader to pave the way for the official start of the contest to replace her in 10 Downing Street.
Officials from the Tories' 1922 committee confirmed the prime minister has quit as the party's leader.
But she will stay on as acting leader until her successor has been elected.
Conservative MPs have until 5pm on Monday to formally apply to enter the leadership election.
Filibuster_HK
US gives Turkey ultimatum on Russian missiles
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-48568282
Turkey has been given a deadline of the end of July to choose between buying US fighter jets and Russian anti-aircraft missile systems.
Acting US Defence Secretary Patrick Shanahan set out the ultimatum in a letter to his Turkish counterpart, Hulusi Akar.
Turkey, he said, could not have both America's F-35 advanced fighter jets and Russia's S-400 systems.
The two Nato allies have been locked in a row over the S-400 for months.
America argues that the Russian systems are both incompatible with Nato defence systems and pose a security threat, and wants Turkey to buy its Patriot anti-aircraft systems instead.
Turkey, which has been pursuing an increasingly independent defence policy, has signed up to buying 100 F-35s, and has invested heavily in the F-35 programme, with Turkish companies producing 937 of the plane's parts.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-48568282
Turkey has been given a deadline of the end of July to choose between buying US fighter jets and Russian anti-aircraft missile systems.
Acting US Defence Secretary Patrick Shanahan set out the ultimatum in a letter to his Turkish counterpart, Hulusi Akar.
Turkey, he said, could not have both America's F-35 advanced fighter jets and Russia's S-400 systems.
The two Nato allies have been locked in a row over the S-400 for months.
America argues that the Russian systems are both incompatible with Nato defence systems and pose a security threat, and wants Turkey to buy its Patriot anti-aircraft systems instead.
Turkey, which has been pursuing an increasingly independent defence policy, has signed up to buying 100 F-35s, and has invested heavily in the F-35 programme, with Turkish companies producing 937 of the plane's parts.
Filibuster_HK
'The last fight for Hong Kong': activists gear up over extradition law
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/07/the-last-fight-for-hong-kong-activists-gear-up-to-protest-extradition-law
It has been called “the nail in Hong Kong’s coffin”, a bill that activists say will “legitimise Chinese abduction” from the city. But the city’s legislators are pushing ahead with the controversial extradition law that will give mainland China the right to request the transfer of alleged criminals.
Opponents have geared up for a fight, with a rally on Sunday expected to draw up to half a million people onto the city’s streets. The demonstration is supported by human rights and legal groups and the leaders of Hong Kong’s movement to preserve its tenuous grip on democracy.
They fear the law, which will have its second reading before the legislature next week, will be used by Beijing to target its political enemies. It has prompted despair from many, who worry it heralds the effective end of the city’s independence from China.
In its current form, the legislation would allow for case-by-case extraditions to mainland China and eliminate some oversight roles of the chief executive’s cabinet and the city’s legislative body. The legislature is seeking to pass it before the summer break in July.
“All they need is a witness statement saying you committed some crime 20 years ago,” says Martin Lee QC, a barrister, former legislator and leading pro-democracy figure. “That is enough, and then you’ll be tried according to Chinese law in a Chinese court. And who can trust that system?”
Critics have accused the Hong Kong administration, led by Carrie Lam, of being “Beijing’s puppet”. But Lam’s administration claims the bill closes a legal loophole. It says the law – and the rush to pass it – is justified because of the case of a man wanted for the murder of his girlfriend in Taiwan.
Hong Kong extradition bill is 'terrible blow' to rule of law, says Patten
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/06/hong-kong-extradition-bill-terrible-blow-rule-of-law-chris-patten
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/07/the-last-fight-for-hong-kong-activists-gear-up-to-protest-extradition-law
It has been called “the nail in Hong Kong’s coffin”, a bill that activists say will “legitimise Chinese abduction” from the city. But the city’s legislators are pushing ahead with the controversial extradition law that will give mainland China the right to request the transfer of alleged criminals.
Opponents have geared up for a fight, with a rally on Sunday expected to draw up to half a million people onto the city’s streets. The demonstration is supported by human rights and legal groups and the leaders of Hong Kong’s movement to preserve its tenuous grip on democracy.
They fear the law, which will have its second reading before the legislature next week, will be used by Beijing to target its political enemies. It has prompted despair from many, who worry it heralds the effective end of the city’s independence from China.
In its current form, the legislation would allow for case-by-case extraditions to mainland China and eliminate some oversight roles of the chief executive’s cabinet and the city’s legislative body. The legislature is seeking to pass it before the summer break in July.
“All they need is a witness statement saying you committed some crime 20 years ago,” says Martin Lee QC, a barrister, former legislator and leading pro-democracy figure. “That is enough, and then you’ll be tried according to Chinese law in a Chinese court. And who can trust that system?”
Critics have accused the Hong Kong administration, led by Carrie Lam, of being “Beijing’s puppet”. But Lam’s administration claims the bill closes a legal loophole. It says the law – and the rush to pass it – is justified because of the case of a man wanted for the murder of his girlfriend in Taiwan.
Hong Kong extradition bill is 'terrible blow' to rule of law, says Patten
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/06/hong-kong-extradition-bill-terrible-blow-rule-of-law-chris-patten
Filibuster_HK
Tory leadership race: Contenders clash over Brexit
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-48654729
Contenders to replace Theresa May as Conservative leader have clashed over delivering Brexit during a TV debate.
The MPs argued over whether a new deal could be renegotiated with the EU, and the prospect of a no-deal Brexit.
Leadership hopefuls appeared before a studio audience at a debate hosted by Channel 4 News in east London.
Boris Johnson came under fire for not taking part. He had defended his non-appearance, arguing debates with many guests "can be slightly cacophonous".
Some of the sharpest exchanges came over whether Parliament should be shut down in order to push through a no-deal Brexit by 31 October - something four of the five candidates argued against.
International Development Secretary Rory Stewart said proroguing Parliament was a "deeply disturbing" option and Home Secretary Sajid Javid warned "you don't deliver democracy by trashing our democracy."
However ex-Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab refused to rule it out, saying "every time one of these candidates take an option away… we weaken our chances of getting the best deal."
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-48654729
Contenders to replace Theresa May as Conservative leader have clashed over delivering Brexit during a TV debate.
The MPs argued over whether a new deal could be renegotiated with the EU, and the prospect of a no-deal Brexit.
Leadership hopefuls appeared before a studio audience at a debate hosted by Channel 4 News in east London.
Boris Johnson came under fire for not taking part. He had defended his non-appearance, arguing debates with many guests "can be slightly cacophonous".
Some of the sharpest exchanges came over whether Parliament should be shut down in order to push through a no-deal Brexit by 31 October - something four of the five candidates argued against.
International Development Secretary Rory Stewart said proroguing Parliament was a "deeply disturbing" option and Home Secretary Sajid Javid warned "you don't deliver democracy by trashing our democracy."
However ex-Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab refused to rule it out, saying "every time one of these candidates take an option away… we weaken our chances of getting the best deal."
Filibuster_HK
East Germany's Görlitz elects CDU mayor over AfD challenger in runoff vote
https://www.dw.com/en/east-germanys-g%C3%B6rlitz-elects-cdu-mayor-over-afd-challenger-in-runoff-vote/a-49227992
CDU's Octavian Ursu scored an important victory in east German town of Görlitz, winning over 55% of the vote in the race for the town's mayor and outpacing his rival from the populist AfD party by over 10%.
The contest was seen as a key test for Germany's AfD. The far-right party's candidate, Sebastian Wippel, won the first round of the race last month, igniting hopes that party could win their first mayoral post in Germany. In turn, all mainstream parties threw their weight behind the Romanian-born Ursu.
After the preliminary results were published on Sunday evening, Ursu said that the majority of voters "decided in favor of an open society and against isolation."
"I'm happy," the 51-year-old classical musician said. "Now we have to see about getting closer to the those who didn't vote for me."
Former police superintendent Wippel, said his own result of nearly 45% as "great" and respectable "considering that all other parties mobilized their forces against us."
Local media also reported voter turnout was 56%. Ursu won 14,043 votes to Wippel's 11,390, according to electoral official Cornelia Herbst.
https://www.dw.com/en/east-germanys-g%C3%B6rlitz-elects-cdu-mayor-over-afd-challenger-in-runoff-vote/a-49227992
CDU's Octavian Ursu scored an important victory in east German town of Görlitz, winning over 55% of the vote in the race for the town's mayor and outpacing his rival from the populist AfD party by over 10%.
The contest was seen as a key test for Germany's AfD. The far-right party's candidate, Sebastian Wippel, won the first round of the race last month, igniting hopes that party could win their first mayoral post in Germany. In turn, all mainstream parties threw their weight behind the Romanian-born Ursu.
After the preliminary results were published on Sunday evening, Ursu said that the majority of voters "decided in favor of an open society and against isolation."
"I'm happy," the 51-year-old classical musician said. "Now we have to see about getting closer to the those who didn't vote for me."
Former police superintendent Wippel, said his own result of nearly 45% as "great" and respectable "considering that all other parties mobilized their forces against us."
Local media also reported voter turnout was 56%. Ursu won 14,043 votes to Wippel's 11,390, according to electoral official Cornelia Herbst.
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Gulf of Oman: US sends more troops amid tanker tension with Iran
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-48671319
The US military will send an additional 1,000 troops to the Middle East as tensions build with Iran.
Acting Defence Secretary Patrick Shanahan said the deployment was in response to what he described as "hostile behaviour" by Iranian forces.
The US Navy also shared new images it says link Iran to recent oil tanker attacks in the Gulf of Oman.
Iran announced on Monday it would no longer comply with part of the 2015 deal on curbing its nuclear ambitions.
It said it would breach a limit agreed with international powers on its enriched uranium stockpiles by 27 June.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-48671319
The US military will send an additional 1,000 troops to the Middle East as tensions build with Iran.
Acting Defence Secretary Patrick Shanahan said the deployment was in response to what he described as "hostile behaviour" by Iranian forces.
The US Navy also shared new images it says link Iran to recent oil tanker attacks in the Gulf of Oman.
Iran announced on Monday it would no longer comply with part of the 2015 deal on curbing its nuclear ambitions.
It said it would breach a limit agreed with international powers on its enriched uranium stockpiles by 27 June.
Filibuster_HK
Egypt's ousted president Mohammed Morsi dies during trial
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-48668941
Egypt's former President Mohammed Morsi, ousted by the military in 2013 after one year in office, has collapsed in a courtroom and died, officials say.
A top figure in the now-banned Islamist movement Muslim Brotherhood, Morsi had just spoken from a cage at a hearing on charges of espionage. State TV said the cause of death was a heart attack.
Morsi, who was 67, had been in custody since his removal after mass protests.
The Muslim Brotherhood said the death was a "full-fledged murder".
Activists and his family had long said Morsi was not receiving treatment for serious health problems such as high blood pressure and diabetes, and was constantly being held in solitary confinement.
Morsi collapsed moments after addressing the court in Cairo over charges of espionage related to suspected contacts with the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, which had close ties to the Muslim Brotherhood.
He spoke for some five minutes from a soundproof glass cage which officials said was designed to prevent him from disrupting proceedings. Morsi was pronounced dead in hospital at 16:50 local time (14:50 GMT) and an initial report showed no signs of recent injuries on the body, Egypt's public prosecutor said.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-48668941
Egypt's former President Mohammed Morsi, ousted by the military in 2013 after one year in office, has collapsed in a courtroom and died, officials say.
A top figure in the now-banned Islamist movement Muslim Brotherhood, Morsi had just spoken from a cage at a hearing on charges of espionage. State TV said the cause of death was a heart attack.
Morsi, who was 67, had been in custody since his removal after mass protests.
The Muslim Brotherhood said the death was a "full-fledged murder".
Activists and his family had long said Morsi was not receiving treatment for serious health problems such as high blood pressure and diabetes, and was constantly being held in solitary confinement.
Morsi collapsed moments after addressing the court in Cairo over charges of espionage related to suspected contacts with the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, which had close ties to the Muslim Brotherhood.
He spoke for some five minutes from a soundproof glass cage which officials said was designed to prevent him from disrupting proceedings. Morsi was pronounced dead in hospital at 16:50 local time (14:50 GMT) and an initial report showed no signs of recent injuries on the body, Egypt's public prosecutor said.
書桓
https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/448876-supreme-court-hands-virginia-democrats-a-win-in-gerrymandering-case?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app
Gorsuch 同 Kavanaugh 輪流做swing vote, 真係估唔到。雖然距離廢除gerrymandering 仲有好遠。
Gorsuch 同 Kavanaugh 輪流做swing vote, 真係估唔到。雖然距離廢除gerrymandering 仲有好遠。
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/jun/04/eu-gives-nigel-farage-24-hours-to-explain-arron-banks-funds
Nigel Farage has been given 24 hours by the European parliament to explain in person his failure to declare lavish expenses funded by Arron Banks, an insurance tycoon under investigation by the UK’s National Crime Agency.
The summons came just two hours before the Brexit party leader was spotted arriving at the US ambassador’s residence in London for a meeting with Donald Trump during the US president’s state visit to the UK.
Last month Channel 4 News revealed emails, invoices and documents suggesting that Banks had covered Farage’s costs for a £13,000-a-month Chelsea home in the year of the Brexit referendum, visits to the US and a chauffeur-driven car. Should Farage fail to convince the parliament of his reason for not declaring Banks’s funding, he could potentially lose the right to make a victory speech in the chamber in July as head of the his parliamentary group.
None of the donations were declared to the European parliament despite the MEPs’ code of conduct stipulating that all members must declare travel, accommodation or subsistence expenses from third parties.
The European parliament’s president, Antonio Tajani, had referred the matter to a committee of five MEPs who act as watchdogs over the parliament’s code of conduct. They met on Tuesday to agree on an unusually short deadline for Farage to explain the failure to declare the expenses at a hearing in Brussels on Wednesday.
Farage, who earns €102,000 (£90,000) each year as an MEP and received up to €700,000 from media appearances in 2014-18, told the Guardian that he had no intention of attending the hearing.