Nothing to see here, PM insists over refurb row

Latest updates and essential advice from The Independent [View in browser]( [Alternate text] Daily briefing April 30, 2021 Today’s essential news from the source you trust This morning’s headlines Boris Johnson is [facing a possible fourth inquiry]( into the funding of the lavish refurbishment of his Downing Street flat, after Labour demanded a probe by parliament’s standards commissioner into whether the prime minister breached the House of Commons’ conduct rules. The development came as a former member of the Electoral Commission told The Independent that Mr Johnson could be forced to resign as PM if the democracy watchdog finds wrongdoing in the “cash for curtains” inquiry it launched on Wednesday. The embattled PM insisted that there was “nothing to see here”, as he restated his position that he paid personally for all spending beyond the £30,000 budgeted annually from the public purse. But Sir Keir Starmer said the PM’s repeated dodging of questions meant that the real issue had become: “What is he hiding?” At least [44 people have been killed and 150 injured]( in a stampede at a religious bonfire at Mount Meron in northeast Israel on Friday, according to local rescue services. The incident occurred as tens of thousands of worshippers gathered to celebrate Lag Ba’Omer, a holiday that in part commemorates the second century sage Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai. Magen David Adom, Israel’s national emergency service, “is fighting for the lives of dozens wounded, and will not give up until the last victim is evacuated,” a spokesperson said. Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu took to Twitter to express his sorrow and said: “We are all praying for the wellbeing of the casualties.” Award-winning actor and producer Noel Clarke has been [suspended by Bafta while it investigates allegations of sexual harassment]( and bullying made against him by multiple women. A newspaper investigation reports that the 45-year-old, who rose to fame as a star of the BBC series Doctor Who and for his role in the critically acclaimed film Kidulthood, faces accusations of verbal abuse, bullying and harassment. The Guardian said it had spoken to 20 women, all of whom knew Mr Clarke in a professional capacity, who alleged in various accounts that he had engaged in incidents of sexual harassment, unwanted touching, groping, sexually inappropriate behaviour, bullying or unprofessional misconduct between 2004 and 2019. Mr Clarke said in a statement that he “vehemently denied” the accusations. . We need your support The Independent employs over 100 journalists around the world to bring you news you can trust. Please consider showing your support with a contribution. [Contribute]( . Top stories [Johnson’s mobile number revealed to be available online for past 15 years]( [France to accept Brits with Covid ‘health pass’ from early June]( [Hoey claims Ireland used ‘threat of IRA bombs’ to get Brexit deal]( . Discover the full story Save 50% on a digital subscription when you subscribe today. [Subscribe now]( . Stories chosen for you - [PM blasted over ‘toothless’ ethics adviser as aid cut condemned as attack on poor – follow live]( - [Brexiteer Kate Hoey claims Ireland used ‘threat of IRA bombs’ to get Brexit deal]( - [Britain’s partnership with India is not going as planned | Mary Dejevsky]( - [The history of the Partition of Ireland and the shaky ground it now stands on]( - [Are menthol cigarettes more dangerous and when will they be banned in US?]( . News you can trust The Independent has a 100% NewsGuard trust rating [NewsGuard] [Find out more]( . If you can spare two minutes we’d love to hear your [feedback]( on our newsletters [Alternate text] Join the conversation or follow us [Twitter]( [Facebook]( Please do not reply directly to this email You are currently registered to receive The Independent's News email. Add us to your safe list of senders. If you do not want to receive The Independent News Daily Briefing email, please [unsubscribe](list_name=IND_Headlines_Masterlist_CDP). If you no longer wish to receive any newsletters or promotional emails from The Independent, you can unsubscribe [here](. This e-mail was sent by Independent Digital News and Media Ltd, 2 Derry Street, London W8 5HF. Registered in England and Wales with company number 07320345. Read our [privacy notice]( and [cookie policy](.