Alex Salmond row report ‘to be released’ – follow live

The government has acquired a second, brand new plane painted in the colours of the union flag to be used by Boris Johnson and other dignitaries for short-haul trips.

The government faced criticism last year when it emerged Boris Johnson’s primary plane, the RAF Voyager, had been repainted with the union flag at a cost to the UK taxpayer of £900,000.

A government spokesperson insisted the second aircraft, which it said had been repainted with a “Global Britain livery”, represents “value for money”. They declined to comment on the cost of the lease or new paintwork.

My colleague Tom Batchelor has this exclusive story:

China blacklisted 10 EU parliamentarians and scholars, as well as four entities, in retaliation against the bloc’s approval of sanctions over Beijing’s crackdown on the Uighur minority.

The Chinese foreign ministry said EU parliamentary figures Butikofer, Michael Gahler, Raphael Glucksmann, Ilhan Kyuchyuk and Miriam Lexmann were among those who “severely harm China’s sovereignty and interests and maliciously spread lies and disinformation”.

“The individuals concerned and their families are prohibited from entering the mainland, Hong Kong and Macao of China,” China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. “They and companies and institutions associated with them are also restricted from doing business with China.”

The UK’s foreign secretary, Dominic Raab, is due to give an update on the situation to the House of Commons at 3.30pm.

The Scottish government has published its draft legislation which outlines plans for a second independence referendum.

The Scottish Independence Referendum Bill stipulates the next Scottish parliament should decide the timing of any referendum.

The draft bill states the question asked should be the same as at the 2014 referendum – “Should Scotland be an independent country?”.

The proposed legislation would also extend voting eligibility to match the franchise at Scottish parliament and local government elections.

It comes as reports suggest the independent inquiry into whether Nicola Sturgeon breached the ministerial code is expected to be released on Monday.

The DUP said in a statement that it is committed to the balanced upholding of all aspects of the devolution settlement. The statement reads:

“Each strand can only fully function when the others are working properly. They are all interdependent.

We have seen the erection of barriers between GB and NI on trade and the application of laws governing our country as well as blatant disrespect for the unionist identity.

We remain committed to New Decade New Approach. All of these issues must be addressed and resolved along with the NDNA commitments if we are to achieve stability for Northern Ireland.

The way forward is through dialogue and political discussion.”

Jonathan Ashworth, Labour’s shadow health secretary, has said he will back NHS staff if they take industrial action over a 1 per cent pay offer from the government.

Mr Ashworth called on health secretary Matt Hancock to withdraw the offer and sit down with staff to discuss a multi-year settlement, which he said was essential to fill a 100,000 NHS vacancy gap.

Our political editor Andrew Woodcock reports:

The independent inquiry into whether Nicola Sturgeon breached the ministerial code is expected to be released on Monday, according to reports.

An investigation by James Hamilton QC has been examining whether Scotland’s first minister misled parliament.

He is also examining if she should have recorded meetings with Alex Salmond and whether she prolonged the government’s defence of a judicial review brought by her predecessor contrary to the legal advice.

It is believed the Scottish government will receive the report from Mr Hamilton on Monday, although this is yet to be confirmed by the government itself.

Asked about the unrest on Sunday, the Boris Johnson’s official spokesperson said: “The prime minister would echo the concerns shared by the Home Secretarylast nigh

“The scenes in Bristol were completely unacceptable, and the prime minister’s thoughts are with the injured police officers.”

They added: “We’re clear that violence towards our police, who work night and day to keep us safe, will not be tolerated”.

Twenty officers were injured during protest against the government’s proposed policing bill last night, which police claimed was “hijacked by extremists”.

Andy Gregory has more on the Bristol protest:

The government calling on the international community to send a “clear message” that China’s abuses in Xinjiang “will not go unanswered”.

The European Union has announced sanctions on four Chinese officials accused of responsibility for abuses against Uighur Muslims, with the UK reported to be considering its own independent action.

“We have been clear the situation in Xinjiang is beyond the pale,” a foreign office spokesperson said. 

“The reported abuses, which include torture, forced labour and forced sterilisation of women, are extreme and they are extensive.”

Dominic Raab, the foreign secretary, will address parliament later today.

The EU imposed sanctions on four Chinese officials on Monday in a raft of measures targeting alleged human rights offenders around the world.

The sanctions involve a freeze on their assets in the EU and a ban on them traveling in the bloc:

Additional reporting by agencies

“Ministers want to pretend that whatever is happening to the Uighurs, it’s not serious enough to get in the way of business,” Caroline Lucas says. “Today’s vote is a vital opportunity to make a stand.”

“MPs are due to vote today on a proposal that would force the government to take account of the opinion of senior judges in the House of Lords on whether regimes with which they seek trade deals might be guilty of genocide.

“This is one of those rare moments when, as a country, we must stand either in the light or in the dark,” Green Party MP Caroline Lucas and former senior diplomat John Ashton write.

They add: “The appeasement of genocide shames our country.”

Find their piece on the Trade Bill amendment here: