Tory leadership contenders begin manoeuvres on replacing Boris Johnson
December 10, 2021, 7:45 am

Tory leadership contenders begin manoeuvres on replacing Boris Johnson

UK Prime Minister taking booster shot/Official Facebook page

The Inews reported that UK MPs said, Tory leadership contenders have begun manoeuvres on replacing Boris Johnson if the Prime Minister’s position becomes untenable amid the Downing Street Christmas party scandal.

Backbenchers’ conversations around who could replace Mr Johnson have intensified since the leak of a video showing No 10 staffers joking about a lockdown-breaching Christmas party last December.

Supporters of Rishi Sunak are said to have been canvassing support for the Chancellor “if things fall down” following the leak.

Tory backbenchers told i that Liz Truss, the other frontrunner, has also been quietly wooing MPs on the sidelines in a bid to bolster her position in the event of a leadership tilt.

It came as the terms of reference for the inquiry by Cabinet Secretary Simon Case confirmed it would be expanded to cover allegations about three Government parties alleged to have broken lockdown restrictions in 2020.

UK-London-Footbridge/Pixabay

Several more Tories broke cover on Thursday to openly criticise the Government on Thursday, with Brexiteer Philip Hollobone suggesting the Downing Street parties were “totally inappropriate and possibly criminal”.

One MP said there are “conversations forming” on Mr Johnson’s leadership after a dire six weeks.

They said: “Backbenchers think it’s recoverable but if it goes on more than six months then it’s difficult."

“One of the PPSs (Parliamentary Private Secretary) – not one of Rishi’s, he’s smarter than that – has been going around canvassing support for him, asking: would you support Rishi if things fall down.”

Meanwhile, another MP said Ms Truss, the Foreign Secretary, had been holding “drinks parties” with backbenchers in an effort to build her support base.

Liz Truss-Foreign Ministe/Foreign Commonwealth and Development official Facebook page

A third Tory added: “Truss is definitely trying to build up support. She has been having regular dinners with backbenchers.”

Responding to the claims about supporters of Mr Sunak, an ally of the Chancellor said it was “the first I’ve heard”.

A spokesman for Ms Truss insisted she is not “canvassing people on the leadership”.

He said: “It’s total and utter rubbish."

“She’s been Foreign Secretary for less than 12 weeks and is focused on getting on with the job.

“She meets MPs regularly to discuss foreign policy, and previously trade policy.”

Mr Case will investigate claims of a staffer’s leaving party in No 10 on 27 November 2020 at which the PM is alleged to have made a speech, a drinks and canapes gathering at the Department for Education on 10 December, and the alleged Christmas party at No 10 on 18 December.

The two December dates coincide with when mixing between households in London was restricted, with England in a month-long lockdown during November.

But some claims, including that there was a party in Mr Johnson and his wife Carrie’s No 11 flat on 13 November – the night Dominic Cummings left the Government, are not currently included in the scope of the review, but could be added at a later date.

Source: inews

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).

Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.