Conservative MP Loses Whip As PM Sunak Prepares To Host Japanese PM

Busy day politically in the UK as PM Rishi Sunak faces PMQs at the top of the hour, followed by a meeting with Japanese PM Fumio Kishida to sign a defence agreement that will allow the deployment of troops in one another's nations, allowing for sizeable joint military exercises to take place.

• No 10 Downing St has called the pact "the most important defence treaty between London and Tokyo since 1902", while Sunak stated ahead of the meeting that the agreement would "cement the UK's commitment to the Indo-Pacific".
• Beforehand, Sunak faces difficult PMQs, with widespread industrial action showing no sign of slowing down. Indeed, stories emerging yesterday of trade unions from across sectors potentially seeking to coordinate strike days in major 'days of action' in order to pressure gov't further on increasing pay offers. Livestream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynAYEZi7114
• Sunak could also face questions on former Conservative-now independent MP Andrew Bridgen, currently suspended from the Commons due to breaching rules on lobbying and declaring interests.
• Chief Whip Simon Hart has confirmed that Bridgen has had the Conservative party whip withdrawn due to midleading tweets regarding the COVID-19 vaccine. Hart stated that 'Misinformation about the vaccine causes harm and costs lives. I am removing the Whip from Andrew Bridgen with immediate effect, pending a formal investigation', adding that Bridgen had "crossed a line, causing great offence in the process".