An investigation found that ministries have spent at least half a million pounds since 2016 trying to block the release of information under transparency laws, our political correspondent Jon stone reports.

Lawyers working for six ministries challenged the decisions of the Information Commissioner and let taxpayers foot the legal bill. The highest-spending Department for Health and Welfare on lawyers racked up legal bills of more than £ 129,000 fighting a single case to try to block the publication of the departmental journals.

Read the full story here:

Boris Johnson arrived at Union Station in Washington DC ahead of his meeting with US President Joe Biden at the White House.

Write for Independent voicesFormer Lib Dem frontman and columnist Sir Vince Cable argues for the new partnership with Aukus:

“One way to handle Britain’s role is French irony and sarcastic rejection. But there is no evidence that the Chinese leadership is endowed with a similar sense of humor; they will see that Britain has made a choice. There is a recent history of retaliation against countries as small as Lithuania that have offended Beijing. There will therefore be “consequences”, as yet unspecified.

“… One thing is certain that a terminal crisis is looming for the doctrine of“ cakeism ”. We can join hostile alliances and engage in gunboat diplomacy, or we can persuade China to engage in the climate crisis and free trade, but not both. We can have our cake but not eat it.

The Secretary General of the Communication Workers Union is the latest to criticize Sir Keir Starmer’s decision to introduce an “electoral college” system in future Labor leadership votes.

Sir Keir said at a shadow cabinet meeting earlier today: “These rules will not be presented on a take it or leave it basis. I am ready to accept suggestions and ideas, have a conversation and try to reach consensus. But principles are important to me.

“I hope [the trade unions] will support me, I believe these changes are good for their members and they strengthen our bond. I know it is difficult – change always is – but I think these changes are vital for the future of our party.

Momentum has reportedly already used Sir Keir Starmer’s plan to introduce an ‘electoral college’ system for future Labor leadership elections in its fundraising efforts ahead of the party conference.

A copy of a fundraising email written by MK Zarah Sultana, shared on social media, warned the party is “at a crossroads” and called the plans to move away from the system. a voice of “shameful attack on democracy”.

Our political correspondent Jon stone has this report on plans:

The Scottish Health Secretary has apologized to the Scottish Parliament after a vital statement on actions to reduce the backlog of ambulances was anticipated in a newspaper before being made at Holyrood, prompting complaints accusations from the Scottish Conservatives that he treated Parliament “with contempt”.

President Alison Johnstone said it was “extremely disappointing” that Humza Yousaf spoke to the Daily check-in ahead of Tuesday’s statement, informing the newspaper that the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service would be required to support the ambulance service.

Ms Johnstone said she would allow the statement, but warned the minister that she could choose to rescind a statement and go directly to the opposition’s questions about the government announcements if they were returned to the media.

Mr Yousaf apologized and said it was “never my intention to cause you or this chamber any trouble speaking to the media prior to my statement today,” adding that “we will take the necessary steps to ensure that this does not happen again in the future.”

The immediate response from several journalists observing the interrogation of Jennifer Arcuri by the London Assembly oversight committee suggests that it could be one of the lesser talking points of the day.

Speaking to reporters on the train to Washington where she will meet Joe Biden, the Foreign Secretary was asked if the resolution of a civil case in the UK was the end of the UK effort to get Anne Sacoolas be extradited from the United States. following the death of Harry Dunn.

“Absolutely not. We continue to push for justice for Harry,” said Liz Truss. Here’s a look at the scene below:

Ms Truss brought up the case of Dunn, 19 – who was killed when his motorcycle was hit by a car driven by US citizen Ms Sacoolas in 2019 – with US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken at the General Assembly United Nations.

Ms Sacoolas is accused of causing death by dangerous driving in the UK, but an extradition request from the Home Office was denied by the US State Department last January.

Boris Johnson called on Russia to hand over poisoning suspects from Salisbury Novichok.

Speaking to Sky News after the prosecution of a third spy was authorized, the prime minister said Russia had already paid a “heavy price” for the poisoning, with the expulsion of diplomats, adding: “They should recognizing that our sense of justice must be rendered is not diminished.

“Dawn Sturgess, an innocent member of the British public, passed away in this event and we want to see these suspects handed over.”

The Prime Minister refused to commit to finalizing a free trade agreement with the United States by the next British elections.

Before a visit to the White House, Boris Johnson told Sky News: “We will pursue free trade agreements around the world, including the United States.

“I have many reasons to be optimistic about this. But the Americans are negotiating very hard.