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Mon, 7 July 2025
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John Johnston

John Johnston

@johnjohnstonmi

John Johnston is a political reporter for PoliticsHome, with a focus on foreign affairs and defence.

Priti Patel Announces 'Streamlining' Of Ukrainian Refugee Visa Process After Major Backlash
Foreign affairs
Priti Patel Announces "Streamlining" Of Ukrainian Refugee Visa Process After Major Backlash
Ukrainian passport holders will now have access to a new online system for securing UK visas from next week, the home secretary has announced.
Keir Starmer Calls For U-Turn On 'Total Mess' Energy Measures As Fuel Prices Hit Record Highs
Energy
By John Johnston
Keir Starmer Calls For U-Turn On "Total Mess" Energy Measures As Fuel Prices Hit Record Highs
Labour leader Keir Starmer has urged the government to go further in its support for households as he warned average bills would rise by £700 even before the impact of Russia's invasion of Ukraine were taken into account.
TRAILBLAZER: Sarah Owen on racism on the doorstep and being a role model
Communities
By John Johnston
TRAILBLAZER: Sarah Owen on racism on the doorstep and being a role model
Sarah Owen reveals why she’s determined to overturn negative attitudes and encourage the next generation of east and south-east Asian politicos into Parliament.
'Boris Johnson Is Leaving My Family To Die': Ukrainians Fear Time Is Running Out For The UK To Ease Refugee Rules
Communities
By John Johnston
"Boris Johnson Is Leaving My Family To Die": Ukrainians Fear Time Is Running Out For The UK To Ease Refugee Rules
Ukrainians fleeing from Russia's invasion have called on the government to act quickly to save people's lives as fighting intensifies.
“What happens, happens, I’ve lived a good life”: British Volunteers Headed For Ukraine’s Frontline
Foreign affairs
By John Johnston
“What happens, happens, I’ve lived a good life”: British Volunteers Headed For Ukraine’s Frontline
British volunteers are already preparing to head for Ukraine’s frontline, despite warnings they could be killed or face legal implications when they return to the UK.
Dozens More 'Red Wall' Labour Seats Could Go Conservative, New Analysis Predicts
Political parties
By John Johnston
Dozens More 'Red Wall' Labour Seats Could Go Conservative, New Analysis Predicts
As many as 36 additional 'red wall' Labour seats could fall to the Tories if overall vote share is consistent with the last election, according to a new analysis from the Onward think tank.
UK Sanctions Explained: How The West Plan To Squeeze Russia's Economy
Defence
By John Johnston
UK Sanctions Explained: How The West Plan To Squeeze Russia's Economy
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has promised to "hit Russia very hard" following their invasion of Ukraine, but what do the UK sanctions look like, and what will they do to the Russian economy?
EU Plans To Send Weapons To Ukraine After Putin Escalates Nuclear Threat
Defence
By John Johnston
EU Plans To Send Weapons To Ukraine After Putin Escalates Nuclear Threat
The European Union has announced it will begin shipping weapons to Ukraine after President Putin ordered nuclear forces to increase readinesss.
Foreign Secretary 'Absolutely' Backs Brits Who Want To Join Ukraine's Armed Resistance
Defence
Foreign Secretary "Absolutely" Backs Brits Who Want To Join Ukraine's Armed Resistance
Foreign Secretary Liz Truss gave her backing to Ukrainian President Zelenskyy's calls for people from around the world to join "International Brigades" to support their fight against Russia.
Defence Secretary Says 'Deeply Irrational' Vladimir Putin Has Broken International Law
Defence
Defence Secretary Says "Deeply Irrational" Vladimir Putin Has Broken International Law
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has reiterated his claim that the Russian President had "gone full tonto" after the country's invasion of Ukraine, and accused him of breaking international law.
Westminster Repair Bill Could Reach £22bn And Take 76 Years If MPs And Peers Don't Decant
Political parties
By John Johnston
Westminster Repair Bill Could Reach £22bn And Take 76 Years If MPs And Peers Don't Decant
An extensive new report has claimed costs for the vital repair works could soar if MPs choose to remain in the Palace of Westminster.
Boris Johnson Says 'Our Worst Fears Have Come True' After Russian Invasion Of Ukraine
Defence
By John Johnston
Boris Johnson Says "Our Worst Fears Have Come True" After Russian Invasion Of Ukraine
The Prime Minister has promised the West will not allow democracy to be "snuffed out" after President Putin launched an invasion of Ukraine by "land, sea and air".
Boris Johnson Condemns Russian Invasion Of Ukraine And Says Britain Will 'Respond Decisively'
Defence
By John Johnston
Boris Johnson Condemns Russian Invasion Of Ukraine And Says Britain Will "Respond Decisively"
The Prime Minister is chairing a emergency Cobra meeting to decide the UK's next response to "horrific attacks" by Russia.
Liz Truss Doesn't Rule Out Sanctioning Tory Donors If Linked With Putin Regime
Defence
Liz Truss Doesn't Rule Out Sanctioning Tory Donors If Linked With Putin Regime
Foreign Secretary Liz Truss has said "nothing was off the table" when it came to sanctions, but rejected calls for her party to return donations from Russian donors.
Boris Johnson Announces Sanctions On Five Russian Banks After Ukraine Escalation
Foreign affairs
By John Johnston
Boris Johnson Announces Sanctions On Five Russian Banks After Ukraine Escalation
Boris Johnson said Putin's efforts "must fail" as he announced the "first barrage" of sanctions against Russia after troops advanced into eastern Ukraine on Monday night.
Government Says Russian Invasion Of Ukraine Has Begun
Defence
Government Says Russian Invasion Of Ukraine Has Begun
Health Secretary Sajid Javid has said it is a "dark day" for Europe as he confirmed that Russian forces have now advanced into eastern Ukraine.
Minister Says 'Employers And Employees' Will Decide If Someone Works With Covid When Isolation Rules End
Coronavirus
By John Johnston
Minister Says "Employers And Employees" Will Decide If Someone Works With Covid When Isolation Rules End
Small business minister Paul Scully has placed an emphasis on individual choice when it comes to isolating with Covid as Prime Minister Boris Johnson prepares to announce the end of remaining restrictions in England.
Sanction Stations: Battling Back Against Chinese Oppression
Foreign affairs
By John Johnston
Sanction Stations: Battling Back Against Chinese Oppression
Far from being cowed, those subject to retaliatory sanctions by China remain determined to shine a light on violations against the Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang and hold China to account.
Jamie Oliver Accuses Boris Johnson Of Playing Politics With Children's Health Over Obesity Plans
Health
By John Johnston
Jamie Oliver Accuses Boris Johnson Of Playing Politics With Children's Health Over Obesity Plans
Celebrity Chef and healthy food campaigner Jamie Oliver has accused Prime Minister Boris Johnson of "playing politics" with children's health.
Boris Johnson Says Ukraine Shelling Is A 'False Flag Operation' By Russia
Foreign affairs
By John Johnston
Boris Johnson Says Ukraine Shelling Is A "False Flag Operation" By Russia
Boris Johnson has said the shelling of a kindergarten in Ukraine was "designed to discredit the Ukrainians".
Labour Activists Say Recent Cyberattack Is Hampering Local Election Efforts
Political parties
By John Johnston
Labour Activists Say Recent Cyberattack Is Hampering Local Election Efforts
Labour activists have accused the party of a "poor" response to a recent data breach which left a "significant quantity" of member's data inaccessible.
Sajid Javid Confirms Covid-19 Vaccines Will Be Offered For Children Aged Over Five In England
Coronavirus
Sajid Javid Confirms Covid-19 Vaccines Will Be Offered For Children Aged Over Five In England
The health secretary has announced that children aged 5-to-11 in England will be offered a "non-urgent" Covid-19 vaccine from April.
Boris Johnson Says Ukraine Crisis Is A 'Mixed Picture' And Warns Tough Sanctions Are 'Ready To Go'
Foreign affairs
By John Johnston
Boris Johnson Says Ukraine Crisis Is A "Mixed Picture" And Warns Tough Sanctions Are "Ready To Go"
Boris Johnson has said intelligence from the Ukraine border is "not encouraging", but that there are signs of a "diplomatic opening" as Russia continues to build up forces.
The Henry Dimbleby Interview: Breaking The Junk Food Cycle
Health
By John Johnston
The Henry Dimbleby Interview: Breaking The Junk Food Cycle
As Henry Dimbleby awaits a formal response to his National Food Strategy report, the government’s food tsar explains why state action is crucial if Britain is to break the damaging junk food cycle and reverse the constant rise in obesity figures.
Westminster repair plans in chaos after parliamentary authorities scrap delivery body
Political parties
By John Johnston
Westminster repair plans in chaos after parliamentary authorities scrap delivery body
MP and peers could now remain in Parliament while works are undertaken on the Palace of Westminster following a decision to scrap the sponsor body.
Labour MP Says New Commons Leader Is 'Wholly Inappropriate' While Islamophobia Inquiry Is Underway
Political parties
By John Johnston
Labour MP Says New Commons Leader Is "Wholly Inappropriate" While Islamophobia Inquiry Is Underway
Naz Shah has questioned Boris Johnson's "zero tolerance" approach to Islamophobia after he appointed Mark Spencer as Leader of the House of Commons, despite the former chief whip being implicated in an ongoing inquiry.
Boris Johnson Announces Plans To End All Covid Legal Restrictions A Month Early
Coronavirus
By John Johnston
Boris Johnson Announces Plans To End All Covid Legal Restrictions A Month Early
Rules around self-isolation for positive cases could be dropped early, Boris Johnson has said.
Anti-Vaccine Groups Celebrated After Protesters Shouting Savile Slur Mobbed Keir Starmer
Coronavirus
By John Johnston
Anti-Vaccine Groups Celebrated After Protesters Shouting Savile Slur Mobbed Keir Starmer
A number of anti-vaccine groups have praised an incident in which abuse was aimed at Labour leader Keir Starmer by a group of protesters following Boris Johnson's false claims about his involvement with the case surrounding sex offences by Jimmy Savile.
Fifth Boris Johnson Aide Has Resigned From Downing Street Within 24 Hours
Political parties
By John Johnston
Fifth Boris Johnson Aide Has Resigned From Downing Street Within 24 Hours
A fifth member of Boris Johnson's team of Downing Street advisers has quit as the exodus of senior staff continues.
Rishi Sunak Announces One-Off £200 Discount On Energy Bills To Help Counter Major Rise In Prices
Economy
Rishi Sunak Announces One-Off £200 Discount On Energy Bills To Help Counter Major Rise In Prices
Rishi Sunak has announced new steps to offset energy price hikes after Ofgem announced the energy price cap would rise by £693 a year.
Keir Starmer Accuses Boris Johnson Of Spreading 'Violent Fascist' Conspiracy Theories After False Jimmy Savile Claim
Political parties
By John Johnston
Keir Starmer Accuses Boris Johnson Of Spreading "Violent Fascist" Conspiracy Theories After False Jimmy Savile Claim
Keir Starmer has accused Boris Johnson of "parroting" conspiracy theories after false claims about his failure to prosecute Jimmy Savile.
The kind of death you experience has become a postcode lottery
Health
By John Johnston
The kind of death you experience has become a postcode lottery
The only guarantee in life, as the saying goes, is death. But how we die, and whether we enjoy the privilege of a “good death,” has no certainty at all. Across the UK, the experience of our final weeks has increasingly become a postcode lottery, influenced by location, condition, age, ethnicity and wealth.
Boris Johnson Indicates Sue Gray's Downing Street Parties Report Will Be Published In Full
Political parties
By John Johnston
Boris Johnson Indicates Sue Gray's Downing Street Parties Report Will Be Published In Full
The Prime Minister has suggested he will stand by his December pledge to publish a full version of the highly anticipated Sue Gray report into Downing Street gatherings.
Afghans In The UK Fear Resettlement Scheme Delays Leave Their Families In 'Great Danger' Of Taliban Reprisals
Foreign affairs
By John Johnston
Afghans In The UK Fear Resettlement Scheme Delays Leave Their Families In "Great Danger" Of Taliban Reprisals
Campaigners have accused the government of providing "no security whatsoever" with a resettlement scheme for those still in hiding in Afghanistan.
Former Minister Has Accused Government Of Not Taking Islamophobia Claim Seriously
Communities
By John Johnston
Former Minister Has Accused Government Of Not Taking Islamophobia Claim Seriously
Former minister Nusrat Ghani has accused the government of not taking her claim that she experienced Islamophobia from a senior member of the party seriously.
Minister Urges Schools To Drop Mask Wearing After Headteachers Defy Rule Changes
Coronavirus
By John Johnston
Minister Urges Schools To Drop Mask Wearing After Headteachers Defy Rule Changes
Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng has said new guidance on masks is "very clear" and that pupils no longer need to wear them in the classroom as Covid restrictions are relaxed.