Keir Starmer labelled 'coward' for proroguing Parliament to avoid Lord Mandelson PMQs grilling

George Bunn
Wed, 22 Apr 2026 04:59:08 +0000

Sir Keir Starmer has been labelled a "coward" after it was revealed MPs will take a break from Westminster on Tuesday next week.

The date of the prorogation, which had been expected later in the week, will likely mean Sir Keir skips yet another grilling at Prime Minister's Questions.

The Tories have put pressure on Sir Keir to let MPs sit in the House of Commons.

Shadow Transport Secretary Richard Holden said: "This is a complete and utter disgrace from a Prime Minister running and hiding from the Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch.

"It means Parliament finishes business on Tuesday, with the formal closing ceremony on Wednesday. So, no PMQs. Starmer's a coward as well as a liar."

Reform UK's local government tsar Ben Bradley added: "Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't a certain Prime Minister have an absolute hissy fit about a previous Prime Minister who prorogued Parliament – allegedly to avoid scrutiny and having to answer questions at PMQs during a difficult period... I vaguely remember that."

However, Sir Keir's former chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, is expected to be grilled by MPs before the prorogation.

Mr McSweeney, who resigned over revelations about Lord Mandelson, will appear at the Commons Foreign Affairs Select Committee on Tuesday.

Zack Polanski 'taking a leaf' out of New York Mayor's social media

Green Party leader Zack Polanski met with the social media team behind New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s winning campaign to boost his own online presence.

Mr Polanski had previously talked to Mayor Mamdani’s team about collaboration, however was unable to visit New York to meet the Mayor.

A Green source told The Times: "Zack’s social media is absolutely flying. It helps that he’s a natural at it. But we want to make sure we’re being as strategic as possible in how we’re using all forms of social media, particularly video, to really own the narrative.

"Mamdani has set the bar really high for producing a huge volume of high-quality video content to drive his campaign and there is lots we can learn from that."

Nigel Farage says Angela Rayner is biggest threat to Reform

Nigel Farage has revealed Angela Rayner is the biggest threat to Reform UK, should Sir Keir Starmer resign as Prime Minister

Asked about which Labour figures would be the biggest challenge for Reform UK if Sir Keir was to step down, Mr Farage said: "Whatever people think about Angela Rayner, there is something at least that is real about her.

"I think the real Angela Rayner’s politics are just way, way out left, way, way out left."

When asked about what would be considered a good result for his party at the May elections in terms of council seats, Mr Farage said: "Four figures would be good; winning in Wales would be very, very good; coming second in Scotland would be remarkable and winning councils like Barnsley.

“That is where I’ve set my sights."

Cabinet minister admits mood is 'bleak' in Downing Street

Cabinet ministers have lost confidence in the Prime Minister’s leadership, as they admitted the mood is "bleak".

However, a minister said it was up to the Cabinet as a whole to move to depose him, reports The i Paper.

A spokesman for the Prime Minister said he is proud of the work being done by his Cabinet and that "nothing will distract the PM from delivering for our country".

Greens and Reform set to surge in London elections in blow to Labour

The Green Party and Reform UK are expected to see surges in London’s May elections and are likely to take control of several of the capital’s 32 council areas.

According to the YouGov poll, Reform will become the largest party on three councils: Labour-run Barking and Dagenham, Conservative-run Bromley, and Havering.

Meanwhile, Zack Polanski's party is projected to win the highest vote share on four Labour strongholds: Hackney, Lambeth, Lewisham and Waltham Forest.

Elsewhere, the poll tips the Conservative Party to be the largest party in Bexley, Harrow, Hillingdon and Kensington and Chelsea, and to win back Barnet off Labour.

The Liberal Democrats are set to win four councils in the south west of the city: Kingston upon Thames, Merton, Sutton and Richmond upon Thames, reports Sky News.

Nigel Farage says Keir Starmer will 'cling on' as Prime Minister

Nigel Farage has said he thinks Keir Starmer will "cling on" as the row over the appointment of Lord Peter Mandelson rumbles on.

Speaking at a Reform UK rally in Barnsley, he described the Prime Minister as a man who has previously "prided himself on being professional, on being thorough and good at everything he does".

He said: "The man of process has ridden roughshod over normal procedure. The very thought that Mandelson was even chosen in the first place is quite extraordinary, but the fact that he was actually put into a very senior position and open to confidential documents.

"Bear in mind that we share with the Americans intelligence to the highest level, including nuclear capability. The thought that the Prime Minister wanted this guy to be there on Pennsylvania Avenue without any vetting process having been done is astonishing."

Mr Farage continued: "My feeling is he will cling on.

"He’ll sack everybody around him, even if he’s the last man standing. He’ll never, ever take responsibility himself for anything that he’s done."

Veterans to get 'additional protections' in Troubles Bill, says minister

The Troubles Legacy Bill will include "additional protections and reassurances" for veterans on its return to Parliament, the Northern Ireland Secretary has said.

Hilary Benn also said there is no such thing as "vexatious" prosecutions, but it is "vital those who served the State" are able to have confidence in the legislation.

Labour is currently progressing its Troubles Bill at Westminster, which will replace the controversial Legacy Act introduced by the previous government.

MPs backed a remedial order which removed the measures in the previous Act providing conditional immunity from prosecutions for Troubles-era crimes, as well as scrapping a bar on future legacy compensation cases.

The immunity provision had been found to be unlawful in the courts.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has also indicated that new protections for military veterans will be added to the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill.

MPs vote to reject social media ban for a third time

MPs have voted to reject a social media ban for under-16s for the third time.

Education minister Olivia Bailey told the Commons that a consultation was the way forward before any plan to tackle social media-linked harms should be implemented.

Members voted 260 to 161, majority 99, to reject an amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, which would have raised the age for access to social media deemed harmful to 16 within a 12-month window.

It is the third time MPs have voted to reject the proposal.

As part of the Bill, ministers are set to gain a flexible power to curb children’s social media use with curfews, scrolling limits and restrictions on location sharing.

The Government could also choose to block under-16s from specified platforms.

Ms Bailey said: "There is a clear consensus across this House on the need to protect children online. But our consultation goes further than these amendments, considering a wider set of options, including risks beyond social media such as gaming and AI chatbots.

"It is not a question of whether the Government acts, but how the Government acts to deliver strong and enduring protections for children online."

Former Labour General Secretary Jennie Formby joins Zack Polanski's Greens

The former General Secretary of Labour has joined the Greens as allies of Jeremy Corbyn continue to switch to Zack Polanski's party.

Jennie Formby, who managed Labour from 2018 to 2020, said she joined the Greens as a member and intended to campaign for the party before May’s local elections.

She told The Guardian: "Zack and the Greens are not scared to talk about economic justice and tax increases. I am increasingly concerned by seeing the extent to which Labour is in hock to corporate sponsors.

"The Greens also have some important policies on workers’ rights, which is important to me, all these things made me want to join the Green party and I want to do everything I can to support them."

A Labour source said: "The Green party has the wrong answers for Britain. Whether it’s opposing housing and clean energy schemes across the country, or their lack of serious and credible proposals on the challenges facing working people, Zack Polanski’s party are not the answer."

Senior Tory frontbencher says Kemi Badenoch has done a 'service to the nation'

The Shadow Environment Secretary has praised Kemi Badenoch and Alex Burghart for "turning the screw" on Keir Starmer.

Victoria Atkins told GB News: "I thinks Kemi has done a real service to the nation with her work drawing this all out.

"We now have a Prime Minister who can barely elicit a cheer from his own backbenchers...cabinet ministers are stepping gingerly away from him."

Scottish Tories say rural communities 'shamefully abandoned' by SNP

The Scottish Conservatives said rural communities have been "shamefully abandoned" by the SNP as they published a dedicated rural manifesto.

Party leader Russell Findlay said the manifesto offers "common sense" policies that will "reverse two decades of SNP neglect" for rural communities.

He said: "Our dedicated rural manifesto is full of common sense policies that will reverse two decades of SNP neglect. These communities have been shamefully abandoned by Central Belt-obsessed SNP ministers who have repeatedly attacked the rural way of life.

"Years of SNP cuts mean rural communities are being forced to pay more in tax, while getting less in the way of local services. That situation is unsustainable.

"If it continues, we will only see more and more people leave rural Scotland for opportunities elsewhere. The Scottish Conservatives are the only party at Holyrood who have consistently stood against the SNP’s anti-rural agenda."

In response, Emma Harper, SNP candidate for Galloway and Dumfries West, said: "Voters won’t forget that it was the Tories who dragged us out of the EU against its will, inflicting untold damage on businesses across rural Scotland.

"Our farmers, fishermen, and rural businesses have been hammered by funding cuts, rising energy bills and petrol prices, and problems recruiting staff due to increasingly hostile migration policies introduced by the Tories and doubled down on by Keir Starmer."

"John Swinney has put rural Scotland at the heart of government and brings the reliable leadership which our rural communities need. Vote SNP on May 7th for the only party which will always put the interests of Scotland’s rural communities and businesses first."

Suella Braverman calls on Wes Streeting to provide clearer guidance on single-sex spaces in NHS

Suella Braverman, Reform UK's spokeswoman for Education, Skills and Equality has written to the Health Secretary Wes Streeting "urging" him to "publish guidance on single sex spaces in the NHS".

She wrote on X, attaching her letter: "Following my meeting with the Darlington Nurses and Jennifer Melle, of the Darlington Nurses Union, I am writing to the Health Secretary urging him to publish guidance on single sex spaces in the NHS, upholding the law as set out by the Supreme Court.

"Last year he promised to issue the guidance. We are still waiting. Do you think he will keep his promise?"

UK Government welcomes US-Iran ceasefire extension

The UK has welcomed the US-Iran ceasefire extension after at least two ships were targeted in the Strait of Hormuz.

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said Britain wanted to see a “comprehensive settlement” and a “full reopening” of the strait - without restrictions or tolls - after President Donald Trump announced he would extend the temporary agreement.

Ms Cooper said in a statement on Wednesday: “The UK welcomes the ceasefire extension.

“We want to see negotiations restart, a comprehensive settlement and full reopening of the strait without restrictions or tolls.

“Any return to hostilities would be a major setback for the region, the global economy and cost-of-living.”

Morgan McSweeney summoned to speak before Foreign Affairs Select Committee

Sir Keir Starmer’s former chief of staff Morgan McSweeney should appear before the Commons Foreign Affairs Select Committee next Tuesday after being summoned by MPs.

Mr McSweeney resigned from the position on February 8, taking the fall for Sir Keir Starmer over the Lord Peter Mandelson scandal.

Keir Starmer likely to prorogue Parliament early next week

Rumours are growing that Sir Keir Starmer will prorouge Parliament early next week in a bid to avoid another PMQs grilling, but will frame it in relation to the upcoming local elections.

Backbenchers have been told to expect an earlier prorogation, predicted to be on Tuesday evening, the Times reports.

Labour MP calls for Keir Starmer to quit amid Lord Mandelson scandal: ‘It’s if, not when!’

Labour MP Jonathan Brash has called on Keir Starmer to resign and said it was a case of “if, not when” he will leave Downing Street.

The Hartlepool representative told GB News he does not think “anybody reasonably expects the Prime Minister to lead the party into the next election”.

Mr Brash was speaking after the Prime Minister received a grilling from Tory Leader Kemi Badenoch over his handling of the appointment of Peter Mandelson as US ambassador, following revelations that the disgraced peer had failed security vetting and the explosive testimony of Sir Olly Robbins.

“They just need to get a grip. I'm completely fed up about it, and I think it's got to the point now where I genuinely think that, you know, as far as the Prime Minister is concerned, it's not a case of if, it's when.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE.

​Sir Keir Starmer is failing to tackle Pakistani rape gangs by getting distracted by Lord Mandelson, claims Reform MP

Sir Keir Starmer is failing to tackle the Pakistani rape gangs by getting distracted by the Lord Mandelson fiasco, Reform UK MP Sarah Pochin has said.

Speaking at Prime Minister's Questions, Mrs Pochin said: “Every day that the Prime Minister fails to act or even acknowledge Pakistani grooming gangs that rape and torture vulnerable white girls, more victims continue to suffer.

“Whilst he spends his energy forcing friends of paedophiles into top jobs, why not use that energy to stop that disgrace?”

Sir Keir replied: “I spent many years prosecuting paedophiles who are now in prison, so I really don’t need lectures from Reform around this.”

PM dismisses claims of 'dismissive attitude' towards Mandelson vetting

Sir Keir Starmer has dismissed claims of a "dismissive attitude" towards the vetting process when he appointed Lord Mandelson.

Ellie Chowns, Green Party leader in the Commons, said: “The Prime Minister appointed Mandelson in a desperate and doomed attempt to pander to Donald Trump, despite knowing about his friendship with the paedophile Epstein and his links to foreign states.

“The Prime Minister resisted and then took a dismissive and extraordinarily incurious attitude to vetting, compromising national security. And now he’s thrown a civil servant under the bus to save his own skin... Does the Prime Minister not realise that the best thing he can do to restore trust and integrity is to take true responsibility and resign?"

However, the Prime Minister blamed Sir Olly for not telling him about security concerns over Lord Mandelson. Sir Keir said: “There was no dismissive attitude to developed vetting, I knew the post was subject to developed vetting, it was subject to developed vetting.

"What didn’t happen was I was told the UKSV recommendation. That was a serious error of judgment."

Ben Obese-Jecty asks what security vetting Jonathan Powell received as special envoy

Ben Obese-Jecty, Conservative MP for Huntingdon, asked about Jonathan Powell's appointment as special envoy to the British Indian Ocean Territories, including the Chagos Islands, particularly whether he went through security vetting.

He, over boos from MPs, said: "Jonathan Powell was appointed as the Prime Minister's special envoy to the British Indian Ocean Territories on the sixth of September, but throughout August, he held meetings with FCDO officials and was given access to classified information, including a meeting minute between the Prime Minister and the then Foreign Secretary."

"When was Jonathan Powell appointed as special envoy, and what security clearance did he hold upon that appointment?"

Sir Keir responded: "Jonathan Powell is doing an excellent job for this government, is respected across the world, and is playing a significant part in dealing with the huge challenges that we face."

Sir Keir Starmer admits he requested ambassadorial role for Lord Matthew Doyle

Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Sir Ed Davey, raised the issue of Lord Matthew Doyle, saying many MPs were "shocked" by the revelations laid out by Sir Olly Robbins.

He said: "Many of us in this house were shocked by the new revelations from Olly Robbins yesterday. He said Number 10 told him to find a plum job for Matthew Doyle — another Labour crony, friends with a convicted sex offender.

"The Prime Minister was asked on Monday whether No10 had proposed any political appointments other than Mandelson."

Sir Keir Starmer responded: "Matthew Doyle worked for many years in public service, for me as Prime Minister and other ministers.

"When people leave roles in any organisation, there are very often conversations about other roles they may want to apply for.

"In this case, nothing came of it."

'That was a clear national security risk!' - Kemi Badenoch raises concerns Peter Mandelson had access to classified material before vetting

Kemi Badenoch said: "The due diligence document said Mandelson remained on the board of the Kremlin-linked defence company Sistema long after Putin's first invasion of Ukraine in 2014.

"The Prime Minister told us on Monday that he had read that due diligence report. Why did the Prime Minister want to make a man with links to the Kremlin our ambassador in Washington?"

Sir Keir responded: "[UKSV] recommended, with red flags, that there shouldn't be clearance. It was high concern. That information should have been made available to me at the time, and subsequently. The fact that it wasn't was a very serious error of judgment."

'Why was due process not followed?' - Kemi Badenoch questions Keir Starmer over Peter Mandelson appointment

The Leader of the Opposition posed to Sir Keir Starmer why the process to appoint Lord Peter Mandelson was not followed.

Sir Keir responded: "Olly Robbins could not have been clearer in his evidence yesterday.

"He said this: 'I didn't feel under pressure personally in terms of my judgment.' He went on to say: 'I have complete confidence that recommendations to me and the discussions we had and the decision we made were rigorously independent of any pressure'.

"He was asked if any conversations led him to believe that Mandelson needed to take up the role regardless of the vetting outcome. He said: 'I can say with certainty, it was never put to me in that way'.

"What is unacceptable is that the recommendation of UKSV was not given to me before Mandelson took up his post."

Kemi Badenoch: Sir Olly Robbins evidence does not put Peter Mandelson scandal 'to bed'

Sir Keir said the Foreign Affairs Select Committee grilling of Sir Olly Robbins had "put to bed" the allegations over him misleading Parliament.

Kemi Badenoch, Leader of the Opposition, contested this, saying it did not resolve the issue.

She said: "Mr Speaker, it does not put to bed anything.

"On November 11, 2024, long before any vetting had happened, the Prime Minister received advice from Sir Simon Case, the then Cabinet Secretary.

"The advice said the appointment would require, and I quote, 'the necessary security clearances before confirming the Prime Minister's choice'.

"This advice was ignored. So how can the Prime Minister still believe that confirming Mandelson before the security clearances was following due process?"

Keir Starmer opens PMQs apologising to Jeffrey Epstein victims and reiterating he did not know of Peter Mandelson vetting result

Sir Keir Starmer addressed the House of Commons first apologising to the victims of the paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

He said: "On Tuesday, April 14, I found out for the first time that on January 29, 2025, before Peter Mandelson took up his position as ambassador, Foreign Office officials granted him developed vetting clearance against the specific recommendation of the United Kingdom Security Vetting that developed vetting clearance should be denied."

PICTURED: Sir Keir Starmer sets off ahead of PMQs

The Prime Minister had a smile on his face as he left No10 ahead of PMQs, despite what is likely to be a fiery session in the House of Commons for Sir Keir today, as calls for his resignation are becoming increasingly loud.

Cabinet Office boss to sit before Foreign Affairs Select Committee tomorrow following Sir Olly Robbins' grilling yesterday

Another mandarin will appear for the the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, following the explosive two and half hour grilling Sir Olly Robbins went through yesterday.

Cat Little, the permanent secretary at the Cabinet Office will be questioned by committee members, including chair, Dame Emily Thornberry and is expected to counter the evidence delivered by Sir Olly.

Scottish First Minister to skip TV debate due to lack of female representation

Scottish First Minister John Swinney has decided to pass up the opportunity to talk on a TV debate over concerns that it would otherwise be a "group of blokes talking politics".

The First Minister has faced accusations that he is "running scared" of other leaders and he announced that Housing Secretary Mairi McAllan would appear in his place on Question Time in Aberdeen on Thursday.

Deflecting the criticism, the SNP said the reason for Mr Swinney not attending was due to the lack of female representation on the panel.

He said: “The sight of six blokes sitting at a table talking about politics, I don’t think is a great look in politics."

Gillian Mackay, the Scottish Greens co-leader is the only woman currently in a leadership role in Scotland.

The SNP are currently leading in the polls ahead of the parliamentary elections on May 7.

Emily Thornberry: Prime Minister right to sack Sir Olly Robbins

Dame Emily Thornberry, chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, who quizzed ex-mandarin Sir Olly Robbins yesterday over his handling of the Lord Peter Mandelson appointment, has said that Sir Keir Starmer was right to sack the ex-Foreign Office boss.

She said, speaking to Sky News: "“I'm not saying I'm not sympathetic. I'm not saying that he's been through a very difficult time.

"But if you were to ask me, do I think that in all the circumstances it was right for him to lose his job? I think actually it was.”

She continued: "I think that there's most definitely fault on both sides. I think that Olly Robbins should have told the Prime Minister or should have told somebody… it is my genuine view that the Prime Minister and this is a fault on his part, does delegate.”

Labour officials charged after criminal investigation into alleged vote-rigging

Four Labour officials have been charged after a police probe into alleged vote-rigging during a parliamentary selection process ahead of the 2024 General Election.

Joel Bodmer, 40, his wife Shila Bodmer, 41, Gabriel Leroy, 24, and Carole Bonner, 69, a former councillor in Croydon, each face charges of conspiracy and computer misuse connected to alleged irregularities in how the Croydon East candidate was chosen.

Labour has confirmed all four individuals have had their party memberships suspended pending the outcome of legal proceedings.

The selection contest for the London constituency was halted in 2023 after concerns emerged regarding alterations to party members' contact information.

READ FULL STORY HERE.

Northern Ireland defence sector set for £50million cash injection from UK Government

Northern Ireland's defence industry is set to receive a £50million cash injection in the hope to stimulate hundreds of jobs in the region.

The Northern Ireland Defence Growth Deal is being launched by the UK Government.

Defence minister Luke Pollard will be heading to Belfast today alongside Northern Ireland Office minister Matthew Patrick.

The deal is aimed at small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups in the NI to make it easier for businesses to enter the defence supply-chain.

It also aims to initiate greater collaboration between the defence industry and educational establishments, to create a talent pipeline into the sector.

First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly told the BBC: “Northern Ireland has a really strong track record in relation to aerospace and defence and security.

“Today is a positive day to highlight the excellence within those sectors.”

WATCH: 'Critical disagreement' between Keir Starmer and Olly Robbins is over who made 'final' decision over Peter Mandelson appointment, says Pat McFadden

Pat McFadden, DWP Secretary said that the "critical disagreement" between Sir Keir Starmer and Sir Olly Robbins was over who made the final decision over the appointment of Lord Peter Mandelson.

He said that Sir Olly wanted the final say, to which the Prime Minister disagreed.

Speaking to GB News, he said: "What the dispute here is who's decision should it really have been on the final result of that vetting.

"Sir Olly Robbins's answer to that question is he was in the right to take that decision, the Prime Minister believes the information should of been passed to him."

Pat McFadden: Peter Mandelson appointment was welcomed at time

Pat McFadden, DWP Secretary and close ally of Sir Keir Starmer, said he saw "the rationale" for the appointing Lord Peter Mandelson as the UK's ambassador to the US, citing that the disgraced peer was a "very experienced political operator" who was thought to do well in the "unusual, highly political US administration".

Speaking to GB News, he also said the political appointment of the ambassador was "not met in horror" at the time, but acknowledged this was now "a mistake".

Green party to conduct 'full review' of their policies

The Green Party is set to conduct a "full review" of its policies, including abolishment of the monarchy, making private landlord illegal and reducing motorway speed to 55mph.

Zack Polanksi, leader of the Greens, said he will review the party's policy platform to rid of unpopular proposal, reports Politico.

He said: "Our policy making process came about when we had something like 20,000 members.

"We just hit 226,000, so in terms of how the conference process works, I think the obvious place I would start is — it's not working as well as it should at the moment."

WATCH: 'Completely catastrophic' - Opposition Assistant Whip predicts vote of no confidence of Prime Minister will not happen

Katie Lam, Opposition Assistant Whip, said yesterday's revelations from Sir Olly Robbins were "completely catastrophic", emphasising the Government were not interested hearing anything about Lord Peter Mandelson during his appointment process.

She said, speaking to GB News, that a vote of no confidence is not "within [the Tories] control", predicting such a vote wouldn't be pursued by the Labour Party as it would make them "look weak".

Ms Lam further suspected that the Government will prorogue Parliament early ahead of the local elections, meaning PMQs will not happen next week, in what she described as a "cowardly" move.

Inflation rises to 3.3 per cent

The rate of inflation (consumer price index) rose to 3.3 per cent in March from 3 per cent in February, according to the Office of National Statistics.

This is the highest level of inflation since December 2025.

In response to the new figures, the Chancellor Rachel Reeves, said: “This is not our war, but it is pushing up bills for families and businesses. That’s why it’s my number one priority to keep costs down."

What did Angela Rayner - and Rachel Reeves - say last night?

Angela Rayner spent yesterday evening urging the media to look away from Lord Mandelson and to tune in to Labour's "bold story" about how it was grappling with the Iran war.

"I'll let this sink in to any journalists that are here: There's some more important questions out there, and it's on that note that I want to just take a moment at the end of the day to reflect on why all this matters, and to the world outside and beyond the bubble," she said.

"Right now, ordinary people feel that their lives are too hard and that the basics of a good life are unaffordable.

"They suspect that this is because of an economy and a system that is rigged in favour of vested interests, and they’re right... Over and over ordinary people feel that they’ve paid the price for every crisis, the financial crash, austerity, Brexit, Covid."

"Let's tell a bold story about how we're tackling the immediate crisis and taking the first steps towards an economy that's built for one interest that we should all serve, and that’s the British people," she added.

Sources close to Ms Rayner suggested her Tuesday speech instead signalled she was open to a return to serving as a minister - rather than the Prime Minister.

Later, Rachel Reeves insisted there was “no Labour leadership contest” and said holding one would be economically damaging.

“I do not want to go down the route the Conservatives went down, of three prime ministers in five years and five chancellors," she fumed.

Also on Keir Starmer's radar... Military planners from around the world descend on Britain to work out exactly what to do with Strait of Hormuz

Military planners from countries seeking to join a UK and France-led mission to keep the Strait of Hormuz open once the Iran war ends will meet in London on Wednesday.

They aim to build on talks held by Sir Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris last week with a view to setting up a joint defensive mission after a sustainable ceasefire agreement has been reached.

The mission is intended to protect merchant vessels, reassure commercial shipping operators and conduct mine clearance operations.

The talks in London will focus on military capabilities, command and control, and how military forces could deploy to the region.

Defence Secretary John Healey said: “The task, today and tomorrow, is to translate the diplomatic consensus into a joint plan to safeguard freedom of navigation in the strait and support a lasting ceasefire.

“I am confident that, over the next two days, real progress can be made. International trade, energy security and the stability of the global economy depend on freedom of navigation.

“By building on our common purpose, strengthening multinational co-ordination and planning for effective collective action, we can help reopen the strait, stabilise the global economy and protect our people.”

Christopher Hope reveals real reason why Labour MPs are dodging GB News amid Lord Mandelson scandal

Christopher Hope last night revealed the reason why Labour MPs have been dodging opportunities to speak directly to GB News viewers amid the ongoing scandal surrounding Lord Mandelson's appointment as the UK's Ambassador to the US.

GB News's political editor was speaking after several fruitless attempts to get a Labour perspective on the status of the embattled Prime Minister.

Earlier, Chris posted on X that the chair and deputy chair of the Intelligence and Security Committee, Lord Beamish and Sir Jeremy Wright, had refused to speak on College Green just outside the House of Parliament...

WATCH CHOPPER'S ANALYSIS HERE

More on Labour... Party officials charged after criminal investigation into alleged vote-rigging

Four Labour offiials have been charged after a police probe into alleged vote-rigging during a parliamentary selection process ahead of the 2024 General Election.

Joel Bodmer, 40, his wife Shila Bodmer, 41, Gabriel Leroy, 24, and Carole Bonner, 69, a former councillor in Croydon, each face charges of conspiracy and computer misuse connected to alleged irregularities in how the Croydon East candidate was chosen.

Labour has confirmed all four individuals have had their party memberships suspended pending the outcome of legal proceedings...