The NHS has launched an "urgent investigation" following newspaper claims that suicidal people calling the NHS 111 helpline are being left on hold until they hang up while staff are asleep at their desks.
The Sun placed an undercover reporter at the NHS 111 call centre at St Charles Hospital in Ladbroke Grove, west London, which provides 24-hour support for callers from 11 boroughs in north, west and central London.
The newspaper said it found call handlers asleep at their desks or describing themselves as "busy" on the internal computer system to avoid new calls and patients.
Technical glitches reportedly ended with one handler hanging up on at least three patients, including one with heart palpitations.
Workers were told to tell callers they were experiencing technical failures when they may have been struggling to work the system, according to The Sun.
The newspaper reported an alleged conversation with one of the handlers about how she dealt with a suicidal patient.
The newspaper said the handler told the undercover reporter "she was crying and I was asking her stuff like, 'do you not really want to talk', she was like, 'no'... I put her on mute".
A Department of Health spokesman described the claims as "clearly completely unacceptable" if found to be true.
He said: "The NHS is now urgently investigating and if any wrongdoing whatsoever is found, including criminal actions, we will want to see the police and relevant NHS regulators alerted as necessary."
The report also claimed that managers changed the undercover reporter's timesheets to show he had done more training hours than he had.
Simon Douglass, medical director of the London Central and West Unscheduled Care Collaborative, which runs the centre, said patient safety "is, and always will be, our highest priority".
He said: "We take any allegations extremely seriously and have launched an urgent investigation. The matters leading to the allegations appear to have arisen earlier this year when the undercover reporter participated in training.
"All issues relating to staff conduct are extremely important to us, particularly in relation to patient safety. We strictly enforce our policies for managing staff conduct at all times including whenever we receive reports of inappropriate conduct or behaviour."
Sunday, April 2, 2017
PM heads to Jordan and Saudi Arabia for talks on refugees and Islamic State
The Prime Minister is travelling to the frontline of the war on terror for talks on stepping up the fight against Islamic State, known as Daesh, and tackling the Syrian refugee crisis.
Theresa May is visiting Jordan and Saudi Arabia and will pledge more UK support for airstrikes, new counter-terrorism measures and humanitarian efforts.
First, in Jordan, she will announce a joint anti-terror initiative, with new moves "to strike at the heart of Daesh", and promise to improve cooperation on countering violent extremism in the region.
Then, in Saudi Arabia, the UK's largest trading partner in the Middle East, as well as talks on boosting trade between the two countries she will attempt to step up co-operation on counter-terrorism.
During her visit, the Prime Minister is expected to say that the tragic attack in Westminster on 22 March "showed only too starkly that terrorism is an evil facing us all and we must come together to fight it".
She will also say that working with countries on the frontline in the fight against terror, like Jordan, keeps British people safe and sharing intelligence with Saudi Arabia has saved hundreds of lives in the UK.
According to 10 Downing Street, during her visit she will also discuss how the UK Government can build on co-operation with Jordan to manage the fall-out from the Syrian conflict.
She is expected to reiterate the UK's commitment to providing humanitarian support to Jordan to bolster its capacity to handle the huge number of refugees it hosts, enabling the refugees to stay close to their homes and create meaningful long-term futures for themselves.
The PM will begin her visit in Jordan's capital, Amman, where she is expected to agree new support for the Royal Jordanian Air Force to improve its capability to strike Daesh targets and defeat the terrorist threat.
She will then visit Saudi Arabia, where - according to No 10 - she will make clear that they are a close and important ally and that the UK will continue to work closely in a range of areas, particularly on counter-terrorism where UK-Saudi cooperation is vital.
On trade, the Prime Minister is expected to explore ways of boosting already strong ties. Exports of British goods were worth £4.67bn in 2015 and services £1.9bn.
Speaking ahead of her visit, the Prime Minister said: "As the United Kingdom leaves the EU, we are determined to forge a bold, confident future for ourselves in the world.
"We must look at the challenges that we, and future generations, will face and build stronger partnerships with countries that will be vital to both our security and our prosperity.
"It is clearly in the UK's security and prosperity interests to support Jordan and Saudi Arabia in tackling regional challenges to create a more stable region, and in delivering their ambitious reform programmes to ensure their own stability.
"An even deeper partnership with these countries, and greater knowledge and understanding of one another, will increase our ability to address the issues that concern us, including the promotion of international standards and norms.
"To tackle the threats we face from terrorism and from geopolitical instability, we must meet them at their source.
"Jordan is on the frontline of multiple regional crises and I'm clear that by working with them, we are helping keep British people safe.
"Likewise in Saudi Arabia: we must never forget that intelligence we have received in the past from that country has saved potentially hundreds of lives in the UK.
"And there is so much we can do together on trade, with immense potential for Saudi investment to provide a boost to the British economy.
"So I hope my visit will herald a further intensification in relations between our countries and deepen true strategic partnerships, enabling us to seize the opportunities ahead and ensure the security and prosperity of our people for decades to come."
It is not the Prime Minister's first visit to these two key Gulf states. She visited Jordan in 2012 when she was Home Secretary and also visited Saudi Arabia in March 2014.
The UK Government's new support for the Royal Jordanian Air Force will include:
:: Deploying training teams to help the Jordanians better integrate their Air and Land assets on operations;
:: Providing training in the UK and in Jordan for Joint Terminal Attack Controllers, who are the service personnel who direct combat action of aircraft in offensive operations;
:: Increasing the number of places available to RJAF personnel on UK courses in niche areas such as Air Battle Management and Electronic Warfare; and
:: Supporting aviation safety, including through training in both the UK and Jordan.
According to No 10, the UK will also commit to partnering with Jordan in the development and implementation of strategies to counter violent extremism, including active consultation with civil society and affected communities, particularly focusing on youth groups.
Theresa May is visiting Jordan and Saudi Arabia and will pledge more UK support for airstrikes, new counter-terrorism measures and humanitarian efforts.
First, in Jordan, she will announce a joint anti-terror initiative, with new moves "to strike at the heart of Daesh", and promise to improve cooperation on countering violent extremism in the region.
Then, in Saudi Arabia, the UK's largest trading partner in the Middle East, as well as talks on boosting trade between the two countries she will attempt to step up co-operation on counter-terrorism.
During her visit, the Prime Minister is expected to say that the tragic attack in Westminster on 22 March "showed only too starkly that terrorism is an evil facing us all and we must come together to fight it".
She will also say that working with countries on the frontline in the fight against terror, like Jordan, keeps British people safe and sharing intelligence with Saudi Arabia has saved hundreds of lives in the UK.
According to 10 Downing Street, during her visit she will also discuss how the UK Government can build on co-operation with Jordan to manage the fall-out from the Syrian conflict.
She is expected to reiterate the UK's commitment to providing humanitarian support to Jordan to bolster its capacity to handle the huge number of refugees it hosts, enabling the refugees to stay close to their homes and create meaningful long-term futures for themselves.
The PM will begin her visit in Jordan's capital, Amman, where she is expected to agree new support for the Royal Jordanian Air Force to improve its capability to strike Daesh targets and defeat the terrorist threat.
She will then visit Saudi Arabia, where - according to No 10 - she will make clear that they are a close and important ally and that the UK will continue to work closely in a range of areas, particularly on counter-terrorism where UK-Saudi cooperation is vital.
On trade, the Prime Minister is expected to explore ways of boosting already strong ties. Exports of British goods were worth £4.67bn in 2015 and services £1.9bn.
Speaking ahead of her visit, the Prime Minister said: "As the United Kingdom leaves the EU, we are determined to forge a bold, confident future for ourselves in the world.
"We must look at the challenges that we, and future generations, will face and build stronger partnerships with countries that will be vital to both our security and our prosperity.
"It is clearly in the UK's security and prosperity interests to support Jordan and Saudi Arabia in tackling regional challenges to create a more stable region, and in delivering their ambitious reform programmes to ensure their own stability.
"An even deeper partnership with these countries, and greater knowledge and understanding of one another, will increase our ability to address the issues that concern us, including the promotion of international standards and norms.
"To tackle the threats we face from terrorism and from geopolitical instability, we must meet them at their source.
"Jordan is on the frontline of multiple regional crises and I'm clear that by working with them, we are helping keep British people safe.
"Likewise in Saudi Arabia: we must never forget that intelligence we have received in the past from that country has saved potentially hundreds of lives in the UK.
"And there is so much we can do together on trade, with immense potential for Saudi investment to provide a boost to the British economy.
"So I hope my visit will herald a further intensification in relations between our countries and deepen true strategic partnerships, enabling us to seize the opportunities ahead and ensure the security and prosperity of our people for decades to come."
It is not the Prime Minister's first visit to these two key Gulf states. She visited Jordan in 2012 when she was Home Secretary and also visited Saudi Arabia in March 2014.
The UK Government's new support for the Royal Jordanian Air Force will include:
:: Deploying training teams to help the Jordanians better integrate their Air and Land assets on operations;
:: Providing training in the UK and in Jordan for Joint Terminal Attack Controllers, who are the service personnel who direct combat action of aircraft in offensive operations;
:: Increasing the number of places available to RJAF personnel on UK courses in niche areas such as Air Battle Management and Electronic Warfare; and
:: Supporting aviation safety, including through training in both the UK and Jordan.
According to No 10, the UK will also commit to partnering with Jordan in the development and implementation of strategies to counter violent extremism, including active consultation with civil society and affected communities, particularly focusing on youth groups.
'Whitewashing' claims over Scarlett Johansson's role in anime film
Scarlett Johansson has returned to cinemas with her new movie Ghost In The Shell.
As A-list stars go, studio bosses know she's a name that will draw audiences in.
However, the decision to cast an American actress as the lead in the remake of a Japanese anime classic continues to anger many fans of the original.
Ever since the casting was publicly announced, the term "whitewashing" has followed the film.
In an interview with Good Morning America, Johansson said: "I would never attempt to play a person of a different race, obviously."
She explained: "This character is living a very unique experience in that she has a human brain in an entirely machinate body. She's essentially identity-less."
There's no question it will do well at the box office, but over 100,000 people have signed a petition saying the part should have gone to a Japanese actor.
Theatre director Andrew Keates is perhaps an unlikely voice to be campaigning for the rights of East Asian actors. But it is an issue he has come to feel passionately about.
He said: "What we're doing is painting a picture of reality where there's often no minority groups - that's dangerous when people having unrealistic understandings of what reality is.
"I think that's absolutely terrifying, we need to reflect the beauty of reality rather than this faux picture."
In casting his latest play Chinglish at London's Park Theatre - a comedy about the cultural differences between East and West - Keates insists it would never have crossed his mind not to cast East Asian actors.
So in January, when he learned that another London production was staging an all-white casting of In The Depths Of Dead Love - a play set in China featuring Chinese characters - he felt so angry he organised a protest.
About 50 people joined him, outraged over what they saw as the "racist" casting of the show at London's Print Room.
"I would hope that any theatre company or producers would realise that putting on works from minority groups is not a risk, it's a wonderful opportunity to showcase talent," he added.
"What I would love our industry to be doing is representing in the mainstream, what is actually happening in reality which is different shapes, races, sizes and sexualities."
Chinglish is on at the Park Theatre in Finsbury Park until 22 April.
As A-list stars go, studio bosses know she's a name that will draw audiences in.
However, the decision to cast an American actress as the lead in the remake of a Japanese anime classic continues to anger many fans of the original.
Ever since the casting was publicly announced, the term "whitewashing" has followed the film.
In an interview with Good Morning America, Johansson said: "I would never attempt to play a person of a different race, obviously."
She explained: "This character is living a very unique experience in that she has a human brain in an entirely machinate body. She's essentially identity-less."
There's no question it will do well at the box office, but over 100,000 people have signed a petition saying the part should have gone to a Japanese actor.
Theatre director Andrew Keates is perhaps an unlikely voice to be campaigning for the rights of East Asian actors. But it is an issue he has come to feel passionately about.
He said: "What we're doing is painting a picture of reality where there's often no minority groups - that's dangerous when people having unrealistic understandings of what reality is.
"I think that's absolutely terrifying, we need to reflect the beauty of reality rather than this faux picture."
In casting his latest play Chinglish at London's Park Theatre - a comedy about the cultural differences between East and West - Keates insists it would never have crossed his mind not to cast East Asian actors.
So in January, when he learned that another London production was staging an all-white casting of In The Depths Of Dead Love - a play set in China featuring Chinese characters - he felt so angry he organised a protest.
About 50 people joined him, outraged over what they saw as the "racist" casting of the show at London's Print Room.
"I would hope that any theatre company or producers would realise that putting on works from minority groups is not a risk, it's a wonderful opportunity to showcase talent," he added.
"What I would love our industry to be doing is representing in the mainstream, what is actually happening in reality which is different shapes, races, sizes and sexualities."
Chinglish is on at the Park Theatre in Finsbury Park until 22 April.
New taskforce to tackle 'poisonous' extremism in prisons
A new taskforce of counter-terrorism experts is being launched on Monday to tackle the threat of radicalisation in prisons.
The 100-strong team will examine intelligence from across England and Wales as part of government plans to tackle "poisonous" extremism behind bars.
Jails will be advised on how to deal with specific threats, and the unit will help train prison workers on effective ways to deter offenders from being lured into extremism.
It is hoped the specialist team will also help prisons manage dangerous and high-profile extremist prisoners.
Figures suggest that more than 1,000 prisoners are identified as extremist or vulnerable to extremism at any one time - and the taskforce is going to target all forms of extremism, including far-right ideologies.
Prisons minister Sam Gyimah said: "This new team will lead this strand of important work to help combat and defeat terrorist threats posed by offenders in the prison estate and in the community.
"By countering the poisonous and repugnant activities of extremists, we will help ensure the safe running of our prisons and keep the public safe."
The new unit follows a Government-ordered review last year which concluded that Islamist extremism is a growing problem within jails.
That assessment uncovered evidence of offenders expressing support for Islamic State, and "charismatic" prisoners acting as "self-styled emirs" to radicalise fellow inmates.
Following the inquiry, the Government announced plans to separate dangerous extremists from the rest of the prison population.
The Ministry of Justice says the new taskforce follows other measures designed to address extremism - including orders for prison governors to ban extremist literature and remove anyone from communal worship who promotes anti-British beliefs or other dangerous views.
Hanif Qadir, a former Taliban fighter who runs a foundation which works to prevent radicalisation, told Sky News he welcomes the proposals as radicalisation has reached "unprecedented levels" in the nation's jails.
He said: "It's since the inception of Islamic State and the calling to jihad by IS. Over the last three to four years, the growth of violent extremism within prisons has been on an unimaginable scale.
"At the moment, the problem in our prisons is very, very concerning and we need to deal with it rapidly."
The 100-strong team will examine intelligence from across England and Wales as part of government plans to tackle "poisonous" extremism behind bars.
Jails will be advised on how to deal with specific threats, and the unit will help train prison workers on effective ways to deter offenders from being lured into extremism.
It is hoped the specialist team will also help prisons manage dangerous and high-profile extremist prisoners.
Figures suggest that more than 1,000 prisoners are identified as extremist or vulnerable to extremism at any one time - and the taskforce is going to target all forms of extremism, including far-right ideologies.
Prisons minister Sam Gyimah said: "This new team will lead this strand of important work to help combat and defeat terrorist threats posed by offenders in the prison estate and in the community.
"By countering the poisonous and repugnant activities of extremists, we will help ensure the safe running of our prisons and keep the public safe."
The new unit follows a Government-ordered review last year which concluded that Islamist extremism is a growing problem within jails.
That assessment uncovered evidence of offenders expressing support for Islamic State, and "charismatic" prisoners acting as "self-styled emirs" to radicalise fellow inmates.
Following the inquiry, the Government announced plans to separate dangerous extremists from the rest of the prison population.
The Ministry of Justice says the new taskforce follows other measures designed to address extremism - including orders for prison governors to ban extremist literature and remove anyone from communal worship who promotes anti-British beliefs or other dangerous views.
Hanif Qadir, a former Taliban fighter who runs a foundation which works to prevent radicalisation, told Sky News he welcomes the proposals as radicalisation has reached "unprecedented levels" in the nation's jails.
He said: "It's since the inception of Islamic State and the calling to jihad by IS. Over the last three to four years, the growth of violent extremism within prisons has been on an unimaginable scale.
"At the moment, the problem in our prisons is very, very concerning and we need to deal with it rapidly."
Boy, 14, held over 'sexual assault' streamed on Facebook Live
A 14-year-old boy has been arrested over the alleged sexual assault of a 15-year-old Chicago girl which was streamed live on Facebook.
Chicago police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said the suspect faces charges of aggravated criminal sexual assault, manufacturing of child pornography and dissemination of child pornography.
"Additional arrests are expected as the investigation continues," Mr Guglielmi said, adding that more details would emerge later at a police news conference on Sunday.
Police were not aware of the alleged attack in March until the girl's mother approached a police chief in the city as he was leaving a police station and showed him the video.
Mr Guglielmi said the police chief was "visibly upset" after he watched, both by the video's content and the fact that there were "40 or so live viewers and no one thought to call authorities".
Police believe the alleged attack involved five or six males.
The girl's mother said last month that her daughter had received online threats after the apparent attack. The Chicago Sun-Times later reported that the girl's family had been relocated.
It is the third time in recent months that Chicago police have investigated alleged attacks broadcast live on Facebook.
In February, the fatal shooting of a two-year-old boy was captured on Facebook Live by his aunt.
In January, an attack by four people on a 19-year-old man with special needs was partially broadcast on the social media site. The four accused in the attack have pleaded not guilty.
Chicago police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said the suspect faces charges of aggravated criminal sexual assault, manufacturing of child pornography and dissemination of child pornography.
"Additional arrests are expected as the investigation continues," Mr Guglielmi said, adding that more details would emerge later at a police news conference on Sunday.
Police were not aware of the alleged attack in March until the girl's mother approached a police chief in the city as he was leaving a police station and showed him the video.
Mr Guglielmi said the police chief was "visibly upset" after he watched, both by the video's content and the fact that there were "40 or so live viewers and no one thought to call authorities".
Police believe the alleged attack involved five or six males.
The girl's mother said last month that her daughter had received online threats after the apparent attack. The Chicago Sun-Times later reported that the girl's family had been relocated.
It is the third time in recent months that Chicago police have investigated alleged attacks broadcast live on Facebook.
In February, the fatal shooting of a two-year-old boy was captured on Facebook Live by his aunt.
In January, an attack by four people on a 19-year-old man with special needs was partially broadcast on the social media site. The four accused in the attack have pleaded not guilty.
Security 'on the table' during Brexit talks
Cabinet ministers secretly agreed that Britain should put security on the table in Brexit talks, despite official Government denials, it is reported.
There was "panic" from EU leaders about the impact the UK's exit would have on security in the face of "increased Russian aggression", according to The Sunday Telegraph.
The paper claims leaked minutes of a Brexit Cabinet committee meeting on 7 March show ministers identified the UK's "very strong hand" on defence as a key advantage in negotiations.
The disclosure comes after Boris Johnson attempted to play down a row triggered by Theresa May in her Article 50 letter to the European Council president, Donald Tusk, by claiming Britain's support for EU security was "unconditional".
In her letter, which sparked a furious backlash in the EU, the Prime Minister said failure to reach a Brexit deal on trade "would mean our co-operation in the fight against crime and terrorism would be weakened".
But in an interview with France's Le Figaro, asked whether Britain was trying to use security cooperation as a bargaining chip to secure an EU trade deal, Mr Johnson said: "No, not at all."
He added: "We consider the historic contribution of the UK to the security and stability of Europe as unconditional.
"We will maintain this contribution, which benefits all of Europe and the world. It's in our interest and in the interest of others, and we hope this will be one of the planks of our deep and special partnership (with the EU)."
But according to The Sunday Telegraph, ministers at the 7 March meeting said security would be a "defining" issue for the EU and that Britain should not "underplay" its hand as it seeks to secure a favourable free trade deal.
The paper claims Cabinet ministers Sir Michael Fallon, David Davis, Philip Hammond and Boris Johnson are all understood to have spoken up about the importance of British security to the EU ahead of talks.
A source familiar with the discussions told the paper: "While there were nuances, I think the absolute view around the table was we are in a very strong position and the Europeans know it.
"We go into these negotiations with security and defence being a big thing in our corner."
A Government source has declined to comment on the leak, but said that Britain wants "a deep and special partnership with the EU covering all aspects including security".
The PM faced allegations of "blackmail" and "threats" by EU figures after her Article 50 Brexit letter mentioned security 11 times across six pages.
On the same day Amber Rudd, the Home Secretary, said in a Sky News interview: "If we left Europol, then we would take our information with us."
Number 10 has insisted no "threat" was intended and that the UK Government was not explicitly linking the country's help on security with a trade deal.
However, The Sunday Telegraph claims to have obtained an official account of the 7 March meeting, at which a paper on Britain's defence and security drawn up by the Ministry of Defence and the Foreign Office is said to have been submitted for discussion.
According to the paper, it both spelled out the country's existing EU security links and reported back what EU leaders were thinking on the topic, including rising concerns over Russian aggression.
Mr Johnson, the Foreign Secretary, led discussions by saying that Britain had a "strong hand" at the negotiating table when it came to security, the paper reports.
He stressed that "we should not be a demandeur" in negotiations when it came to security - the French word for someone who makes demands - but be aware of the tactical advantage.
Sir Michael, the Defence Secretary, is understood to have said: "Insecurity in Europe is at its highest since the Cold War. There is increased Russian aggression.
"The EU needs our capabilities," he is recorded as adding, before saying that the UK had "high cards" to play at the negotiating table on security.
Mr Davis, the Brexit Secretary, is noted as saying: "I agree that Britain has high cards and a very strong hand [on security].
"The UK is in a strong position and there is a degree of panic within Europe over defence policy and cooperation." He is said to have added that the UK should not "underplay" its hand.
Mr Hammond, the Chancellor, said that the EU would not offer an economic relationship which deterred Britain from co-operating on defence. He added the UK should make that "clear" during talks.
The Prime Minister is said to have attended the meeting and summed up at the end. She is understood to have said that defence and security were a "defining issue for the EU" and that the UK is in a "strong position".
Those familiar with the talks said there was no mention of "threatening" the EU but an acceptance the UK could use its strong position during negotiations.
A Government source told The Sunday Telegraph: "We do not comment on Cabinet Committee leaks, however we have been clear that we want a deep and special partnership with the EU covering all aspects including security.
"Our position is simply a statement of fact - if we leave with no agreement in place, the arrangements we currently have will lapse. We are not bargaining security with anyone - we want to maintain the degree of cooperation on these matters that we have currently."
There was "panic" from EU leaders about the impact the UK's exit would have on security in the face of "increased Russian aggression", according to The Sunday Telegraph.
The paper claims leaked minutes of a Brexit Cabinet committee meeting on 7 March show ministers identified the UK's "very strong hand" on defence as a key advantage in negotiations.
The disclosure comes after Boris Johnson attempted to play down a row triggered by Theresa May in her Article 50 letter to the European Council president, Donald Tusk, by claiming Britain's support for EU security was "unconditional".
In her letter, which sparked a furious backlash in the EU, the Prime Minister said failure to reach a Brexit deal on trade "would mean our co-operation in the fight against crime and terrorism would be weakened".
But in an interview with France's Le Figaro, asked whether Britain was trying to use security cooperation as a bargaining chip to secure an EU trade deal, Mr Johnson said: "No, not at all."
He added: "We consider the historic contribution of the UK to the security and stability of Europe as unconditional.
"We will maintain this contribution, which benefits all of Europe and the world. It's in our interest and in the interest of others, and we hope this will be one of the planks of our deep and special partnership (with the EU)."
But according to The Sunday Telegraph, ministers at the 7 March meeting said security would be a "defining" issue for the EU and that Britain should not "underplay" its hand as it seeks to secure a favourable free trade deal.
The paper claims Cabinet ministers Sir Michael Fallon, David Davis, Philip Hammond and Boris Johnson are all understood to have spoken up about the importance of British security to the EU ahead of talks.
A source familiar with the discussions told the paper: "While there were nuances, I think the absolute view around the table was we are in a very strong position and the Europeans know it.
"We go into these negotiations with security and defence being a big thing in our corner."
A Government source has declined to comment on the leak, but said that Britain wants "a deep and special partnership with the EU covering all aspects including security".
The PM faced allegations of "blackmail" and "threats" by EU figures after her Article 50 Brexit letter mentioned security 11 times across six pages.
On the same day Amber Rudd, the Home Secretary, said in a Sky News interview: "If we left Europol, then we would take our information with us."
Number 10 has insisted no "threat" was intended and that the UK Government was not explicitly linking the country's help on security with a trade deal.
However, The Sunday Telegraph claims to have obtained an official account of the 7 March meeting, at which a paper on Britain's defence and security drawn up by the Ministry of Defence and the Foreign Office is said to have been submitted for discussion.
According to the paper, it both spelled out the country's existing EU security links and reported back what EU leaders were thinking on the topic, including rising concerns over Russian aggression.
Mr Johnson, the Foreign Secretary, led discussions by saying that Britain had a "strong hand" at the negotiating table when it came to security, the paper reports.
He stressed that "we should not be a demandeur" in negotiations when it came to security - the French word for someone who makes demands - but be aware of the tactical advantage.
Sir Michael, the Defence Secretary, is understood to have said: "Insecurity in Europe is at its highest since the Cold War. There is increased Russian aggression.
"The EU needs our capabilities," he is recorded as adding, before saying that the UK had "high cards" to play at the negotiating table on security.
Mr Davis, the Brexit Secretary, is noted as saying: "I agree that Britain has high cards and a very strong hand [on security].
"The UK is in a strong position and there is a degree of panic within Europe over defence policy and cooperation." He is said to have added that the UK should not "underplay" its hand.
Mr Hammond, the Chancellor, said that the EU would not offer an economic relationship which deterred Britain from co-operating on defence. He added the UK should make that "clear" during talks.
The Prime Minister is said to have attended the meeting and summed up at the end. She is understood to have said that defence and security were a "defining issue for the EU" and that the UK is in a "strong position".
Those familiar with the talks said there was no mention of "threatening" the EU but an acceptance the UK could use its strong position during negotiations.
A Government source told The Sunday Telegraph: "We do not comment on Cabinet Committee leaks, however we have been clear that we want a deep and special partnership with the EU covering all aspects including security.
"Our position is simply a statement of fact - if we leave with no agreement in place, the arrangements we currently have will lapse. We are not bargaining security with anyone - we want to maintain the degree of cooperation on these matters that we have currently."
Ecuador election could determine Julian Assange's fate
Ecuadorians go to the polls to elect a new president, a choice that could have repercussions thousands of miles away for the fate of Julian Assange.
Sunday's vote pits the government-backed leftist candidate Lenin Moreno against a conservative former banker, Guillermo Lasso.
Both candidates have spoken during the campaign of how they would deal with Mr Assange, who is holed up in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London.
Mr Lasso has said if he is elected he will evict the WikiLeaks founder within 30 days of taking office.
Mr Moreno, who is aligned with outgoing President Rafael Correa and was hand-picked by him, has said he would let Mr Assange stay in the embassy.
Mr Assange sought asylum in the embassy in 2012, fearing he would be deported to Sweden to answer allegations of sexual assault.
He says he is innocent, and fears that from Sweden he might be extradited to the United States, where he is wanted on espionage charges.
The election is expected to be tight.
Mr Moreno is seen as continuing Mr Correa's "Citizens' Revolution" while Mr Lasso is promising to deliver a jolt to the nation's beleaguered economy.
The country is heavily dependent on oil and its economy is suffering a downturn as oil prices remain low. It is expected to shrink by 2.7% this year.
Surveys show a majority of citizens are keen for change after 10 years of Mr Correa's iron-fisted rule.
But in the final weeks of the race Mr Moreno has inched ahead amid an aggressive campaign to cast his rival as a wealthy, out-of-touch politician.
A victory by Mr Lasso would further tilt Latin America toward the right following a series of conservative election victories.
The vote is a run-off between the two top candidates.
In the first round of balloting, held on 19 February, Mr Moreno fell just short of the required percentage of votes to avoid a runoff election against Mr Lasso.
The process was marred by accusations of fraud from both sides and angry protests, as the vote count dragged on for several days before the official results were announced.
Sunday's vote pits the government-backed leftist candidate Lenin Moreno against a conservative former banker, Guillermo Lasso.
Both candidates have spoken during the campaign of how they would deal with Mr Assange, who is holed up in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London.
Mr Lasso has said if he is elected he will evict the WikiLeaks founder within 30 days of taking office.
Mr Moreno, who is aligned with outgoing President Rafael Correa and was hand-picked by him, has said he would let Mr Assange stay in the embassy.
Mr Assange sought asylum in the embassy in 2012, fearing he would be deported to Sweden to answer allegations of sexual assault.
He says he is innocent, and fears that from Sweden he might be extradited to the United States, where he is wanted on espionage charges.
The election is expected to be tight.
Mr Moreno is seen as continuing Mr Correa's "Citizens' Revolution" while Mr Lasso is promising to deliver a jolt to the nation's beleaguered economy.
The country is heavily dependent on oil and its economy is suffering a downturn as oil prices remain low. It is expected to shrink by 2.7% this year.
Surveys show a majority of citizens are keen for change after 10 years of Mr Correa's iron-fisted rule.
But in the final weeks of the race Mr Moreno has inched ahead amid an aggressive campaign to cast his rival as a wealthy, out-of-touch politician.
A victory by Mr Lasso would further tilt Latin America toward the right following a series of conservative election victories.
The vote is a run-off between the two top candidates.
In the first round of balloting, held on 19 February, Mr Moreno fell just short of the required percentage of votes to avoid a runoff election against Mr Lasso.
The process was marred by accusations of fraud from both sides and angry protests, as the vote count dragged on for several days before the official results were announced.
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