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When nine million people watch a TV drama that then provokes a national outpouring of anger over the postmasters’ fight for justice, a prime minister would do well to acknowledge the public mood and act.

And that’s exactly what we have seen Rishi Sunak do this week.

PM accused of seeking ‘glory’ from scandal – live updates

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On Monday, Tory MP David Davis, who has been fighting on this issue for years, publicly instructed Number 10 to deal with this scandal in weeks rather than months.

And 48 hours later, Mr Sunak was at the despatch box for the first Prime Minister’s Questions of 2024 to announce the government would introduce new laws to ensure hundreds of convictions will be overturned on a blanket basis, with compensation planned by the end of the year.

“We will make sure that the truth comes to light, we right the wrongs of the past and the victims get the justice they deserve,” he told MPs.

The government confirmed it would table that legislation in weeks, and underlined its pledge of swift exoneration by telling the victims of the Horizon scandal all they needed to do was “sign a statement to the effect that they did not commit the crimes of which they’re accused to get compensated – and their name cleared”.

“I do not pretend to the House that this is a foolproof device,” postal minister Kevin Hollinrake told MPs.

“But it is a proportionate one which respects the ordeal with which these people have already suffered.”

Read more:
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Who are the key figures in Post Office IT scandal?

For the prime minister, still suffering the contagion of the Johnson and Truss administrations, there was little option but to act fast.

He simply could not let the string of wrongful prosecutions and convictions of postmasters that began during the Cameron years come back to haunt him.

It is true acting decisively is easier when the House is united, but it is also true, after a rough run around the Rwanda deportation plan, Mr Sunak at last has something to lead on that he might hope could even win him some credit with voters who don’t appear to like him much.

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But the news today is just the end of the beginning of this scandal.

As victims are finally compensated and exonerated, attention in Westminster is now turning to those in the Post Office who pursued this claims and the IT giant Fujitsu, which designed the faulty software.

MPs were already today pressing ministers on whether the Japanese software company should help foot the compensation bill, while there are growing calls for it to be stripped of public contracts.

With the victims of this scandal now getting justice, attention will shift to who might be held responsible for what has happened and what form potential sanctions might take.

There will be questions to answer by ministers during the Cameron years, not least Lib Dem leader and former postal affairs minister Ed Davey, as well as executives at the Post Office and Fujitsu.

But in taking action so swiftly this week, the current prime minister has moved decisively to take himself and his administration out of the firing line.

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BlackRock launches Bitcoin ETP after UK lifts trading ban

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BlackRock launches Bitcoin ETP after UK lifts trading ban

BlackRock launches Bitcoin ETP after UK lifts trading ban

BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin ETP debuts on the London Stock Exchange as UK regulators ease rules on crypto-linked investment products.

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Part of Birmingham ‘can’t be no-go area for Jews’, cabinet minister tells Sky News

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Part of Birmingham 'can't be no-go area for Jews', cabinet minister tells Sky News

Aston in Birmingham can’t become a “no-go area” for Jews, a senior cabinet minister has told Sky News, amid controversy over fans of an Israeli football club being barred from attending a match next month.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said he “profoundly” disagrees with the “approach” taken by a local MP who started a petition calling for fans of Maccabi Tel Aviv to be banned from the Aston Villa game, saying it “cannot be the basis on which our country operates”.

But while he said the government is “working with the relevant authorities” to overturn the move, he can not guarantee it will happen.

Politics latest: Miliband ‘welcomes’ Jeremy Clarkson challenge

Villa Park. PA
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Villa Park. PA

Alongside politicians of all parties, Sir Keir Starmer has strongly criticised the decision, calling it “wrong”, and the government has said it will work with local authorities to ensure both sets of fans can attend.

Speaking to Sky’s Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips, Mr Miliband said work is still ongoing.

“We are working with the relevant authorities on this issue, he said. “I think the principle here is we do not want a situation where people of a particular faith or from a particular country can’t come to a football match because of their faith, because of where they’re coming from.”

Asked if Maccabi Tel Aviv fans will definitely be able to attend the game, the minister replied: “I’m not going to say come what may, but I’m giving you a very, very clear indication of what we are working towards, which is that, you know, the fans from both teams can attend the match.”

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Miliband on Israeli football fan ban

Phillips put to Mr Miliband that a petition to ban their fans, launched by local independent MP Ayoub Khan, has been signed by nearly 4,000 people. It states the upcoming game is “not a normal match” because the Israeli fans would be arriving in “Aston, a diverse and predominantly Muslim community”.

Asked if Aston is now a no-go area for Jews, Mr Miliband replied: “No and it can’t be. And I’m very, very clear about that.

“I believe we as a country, we pride ourselves on our diversity, but also our tolerance and our hatred of prejudice, frankly. And so we cannot have a situation where any area is a no-go area for people of a particular religion or from a particular country.”

Asked if the local MP was justified in what he wrote, Mr Miliband replied: “No. I profoundly disagree with that approach, with what is being said in that petition, because that cannot be the basis on which our country operates.”

This isn’t how the vast majority of people in the UK operate, he added. “So let’s not take this petition and say it paints a picture of our country.”

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Aston Villa fan says he has received death threats.

Top Tory criticises ‘sectarian politics’

His Tory counterpart, Claire Coutinho, was highly critical of the petition, telling Phillips: “I think politicians need to have the courage to name some of the problems that this country is facing. And one of those problems is political Islam.

“Now, that’s not to say the moderate Muslim community are a problem in Britain, but we have seen in the past extremist Islamism […] and now we are seeing a movement of people – last election, five MPs elected – simply on sectarian politics. That may be higher at the next election.

“So we have to grip this, and part of that is dealing with rising antisemitism. But part of that is dealing with integration.”

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Tory calls out ‘lack of integration’

The senior Tory MP described the ban overall as a “disgrace”, saying: “I think the message that is being sent to Jewish people in this country is that they’re not welcome here.

“This has always been a safe haven for Jewish people, and I think to say that we could not possibly police Israeli Jewish fans to watch a football match safely is reinforcing that message that Jews are not welcome here. And I think that is wrong.”

Match classified as ‘high risk’

In a statement on Thursday, Aston Villa said Birmingham’s Safety Advisory Group (SAG) – which issues safety certificates for every match at the ground – had “formally written to the club and UEFA to advise no away fans will be permitted to attend” the fixture at Villa Park on 6 November, as it had been classified as “high risk”.

The club said police had advised of “public safety concerns outside the stadium bowl and the ability to deal with any potential protests on the night” – a statement that triggered outrage across the political spectrum.

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Will ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from Aston Villa be lifted?

The move has been condemned by political and Jewish leaders, including Israeli foreign minister Gideon Sa’ar, who called it a “shameful decision”.

The Jewish Leadership Council said it was “perverse” to ban away fans because police can’t guarantee their safety, adding: “Aston Villa should face the consequences of this decision and the match should be played behind closed doors.”

Read more:
Why are Maccabi Tel Aviv fans banned?
Analysis: Ban raises serious questions

Sky News has contacted Mr Khan for a response to the comments made this morning.

Former Labour leader and now independent MP Jeremy Corbyn defended his fellow member of the Independent Alliance group in parliament yesterday, writing on X: “Ayoub Khan has been subject to disgusting smears by MPs and journalists, who have wilfully misrepresented his views in order to stoke anger and division.”

He added that he and his colleagues “diligently represent people of all faiths and none in their communities”.

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Chinese tech giants halt Hong Kong stablecoin plans amid Beijing concerns: FT

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Chinese tech giants halt Hong Kong stablecoin plans amid Beijing concerns: FT

Chinese tech giants halt Hong Kong stablecoin plans amid Beijing concerns: FT

Ant Group and JD.com have paused their stablecoin initiatives in Hong Kong after Beijing regulators raised concerns over private firms issuing digital currencies.

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