General Election TV leaders' debate: 'Deal with the Taliban?!' Sunak fires back as Starmer put on backfoot over illegal immigration

Sunak and Starmer's last head-to-head debate ends with draw

Rishi Sunak's final head-to-head debate with Sir Keir Starmer has ended as a score draw.

In a YouGov poll of 1,716 debate viewers, 50 per cent said the Prime Minister won and 50 per cent claimed the Labour leader emerged victorious.

'We're not going back!' Starmer confirms Brexit position but vows to re-negotiate 'botched' deal

Sir Keir Starmer has confirmed the UK will not return to the EU but vowed to negotiate a new deal with Brussels.

The Labour leader appeared to reiterate he is hoping to make Brexit work.

Starmer said: "I'm going to say, I know we can get a better deal than the botched deal that we've got.

"I'm going to go out and fight for it. We're not going to have freedom of movement come back, we're not going to go back into the EU, but I'm going to fight for a better deal."

Rishi Sunak, who backed Brexit, hit back by saying a new deal would lead to “free movement by the back door”.

He said: “All the things he’s talking about involve accepting more migrants, free movement by the back door.

“That is the choice for you at this election.”

Police order pro-Palestine protesters to turn off speakers

Nottinghamshire Police have apparently forced pro-Palestine protesters to disconnect the sound system.

The lead demonstrator is now addressing the crowd through a megaphone instead.

He urged protesters to stop drumming and using amplifying equipment in a bid to cut the noise levels.

Audience applaud as Starmer called out for supporting Corbyn

BBC host Mishal Husain has received a round of applause after reminding Sir Keir Starmer he supported his disgraced predecessor Jeremy Corbyn.

Starmer was hoping to put pressure on Rishi Sunak for rallying behind Liz Truss during her brief stint as Prime Minister.

Husain said: “You know what it’s like to fall in behind the leader of your party.”

The audience applauded and Sunak laughed.

Starmer has tried to distance himself from backing Corbyn in 2017 and 2019 as the former Labour leader's Shadow Brexit Secretary.

Police cordon off pro-Palestine protest outside head-to-head debate

Nottinghamshire Police have cordoned off pro-Palestine protesters outside Nottingham Trent University.

Demonstrators continue to chant about events in Gaza, yelling: "The people united will never be defeated."

'Taxes will go up!' Sunak warns Labour will hit British pockets

Rishi Sunak has warned Labour will raid British pockets with tax rises if Keir Starmer wins the keys to No10.

The Prime Minister said: "You can have tax cuts with the Conservatives, or you can have thousands of pounds of tax rises under the Labour Party, because he’s simply not being straight with you about what is coming.

“Mark my words, your taxes are going up if he is in charge.”

Starmer responded by saying Sunak was proposing "unfunded tax cuts", adding: "I’m not prepared to allow an incoming Labour Government ever, ever to inflict that kind of damage on people across the country."

Pro-Palestine protesters heckle as Starmer locks horns with Sunak

Pro-Palestine protesters have been heard heckling Sir Keir Starmer's final head-to-head clash with Rishi Sunak before polling day.

Nottingham Solidarity Group took responsibility for the disruptive noises.

"General Election Debate Protest in Nottingham started," the group said.

"We will not allow Genocide enablers to go undisturbed in our city. Free Palestine."

BBC host Mishal Husain said: "There is a protest taking place outside which is also an aspect of our democracy and exercising their freedom of speech."

Nottinghamshire Police have reportedly arrived at the scene.

'Don't surrender our borders!' Sunak issues Channel crisis warning as Starmer warns Tories 'lost control'

Rishi Sunak has warned voters against surrendering British borders by electing a Labour Government.

The Prime Minister said: “If Keir Starmer is your Prime Minister, all those illegal migrants will be out on our streets, and that is the choice for you,” he said.

“Do not surrender our borders to the Labour Party.”

However, the Labour leader highlighted how 50,000 migrants have made the perilous 21-mile journey since Sunak entered No10.

Audience clap Sunak's tax cut dig to Starmer

The audience has applauded yet again after Rishi Sunak said Sir Keir Starmer could not deliver tax cuts.

“You are going to have higher welfare under you, and that’s why you can’t deliver tax cuts,” the Prime Minister said.

The audience clapped yet again when Sunak accused the Labour leader of having “nothing to say to people about what you would do about it”.

Starmer receives first applause after calling Sunak 'out of touch' after interrupting

Sir Keir Starmer has received the first round of applause of tonight's debate after calling Rishi Sunak "out of touch".

The Labour leader, who was coming under fire over his position of economically inactive Britons getting back into work, said: "If you listen to people in the audience and across the country, you might not be seen as quite so out of touch."

Sunak appeared to dip his head after receiving the jibe from Starmer.

Starmer slams Sunak over betting scandal 'delay'

Sir Keir Starmer has slammed Rishi Sunak over his "delayed" response to the Westminster betting scandal.

Five Tories have been subject to an investigation from the Gambling Commission for betting on the date of the election.

A Labour candidate was also suspended for betting against his own victory.

Starmer said: "What I did when one of my team was alleged to have been involved and investigated by the Gambling Commission.

“They were suspended within minutes because I knew it made it really important to be swift.

“The Prime Minister delayed and delayed and delayed until eventually he was bullied into taking action.”

However, Sunak revealed he was deeply frustrated by the scandal.

He said: "I completely share your anger. I was as frustrated as you are furious when I learnt about these allegations.

“That’s why, alongside the Gambling Commission, we initiated our own internal inquiries into what had happened, and as a result of that, have suspended two candidates.

“And I’ve been crystal clear, anyone who has broken the law, broken the rules, should not only face the full consequences of the law, I will ensure that they’re booted out of the Conservative Party.”

Sunak and Starmer take to the stage in final head-to-head debate

Rishi Sunak has arrived to lock horns with Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer in the final head-to-head debate ahead of polls opening on July 4.

The Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition address questions from voters at Nottingham Trent University in a 75-minute clash.

Sunak is chasing down Starmer's 20-point lead in the opinion polls, with the Tories also facing a threat from Reform UK.

'We share no values!' Ed Davey blasts Nigel Farage as 'Putin apologist' after pressure mounts on Reform leader over Ukraine

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has labelled Nigel Farage as a “Putin apologist” over the Reform UK leader's comments about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Davey, who was speaking exclusively to GB News from the Essex target seat of Chelmsford, also claimed the Liberal Democrats were among the strongest supporters of Kyiv.

He said: “I share no values at all, the Liberal Democrats share no values at all with Nigel Farage and Reform.”

Davey added: “I think he was being an apologist to Putin which is probably the most important defence and security issue facing our country."

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‘It's not on the table!' Davey completes Brexit U-turn but laments Boris' ‘awful’ EU deal

Sir Ed Davey appears to have completed a remarkable Brexit U-turn by ruling out a return to the EU’s Single Market.

The Liberal Democrat leader seemingly softened his approach on Brussels compared to his manifesto pledge to shackle Britain to the bloc’s internal market.

When asked if the Liberal Democrats would look to rejoin the EU, Davey told GB News: “You’ve got a lot of work to do to even be able to contemplate something like that.”

He added: “We need a trade deal and we need a trade deal really quickly."

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'Labour Party member' arrested in Westminster honeytrap investigation

A Labour Party member has been arrested as part of the Metropolitan Police’s honeytrap investigation.

The man, described as being in his mid 20s, was arrested on Wednesday on suspicion of harassment and offences under the Online Safety Act.

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Reform UK handed MAJOR boost as bombshell new poll shows Farage's party on course for EIGHTEEN seats

Reform UK has been handed a major boost, as a new MRP poll for GB News suggests that the party is on course to win 18 seats at the General Election.

A large-scale survey conducted by Electoral Calculus and Find Out Now shows that the Labour Party would win a landslide victory, taking 450 seats.

This would give Sir Keir Starmer a 250 seat majority - bigger than Tony Blair's majority after the 1997 landslide victory which saw the party win 419 seats.

It would be the largest win by any party in modern parliamentary history, except for 1931.

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Lib Dems poised to be official opposition in bombshell new poll as Tories braced for electoral 'DISASTER'

The Conservative Party is braced for an electoral disaster, as a new MRP poll for GB News suggests the Liberal Democrats are set to become the official opposition.

A large-scale survey conducted by Electoral Calculus and Find Out Now shows that Ed Davey's party would overtake the Tories to form the official opposition, with 71 seats, while the Conservatives would be reduced to just 60.

This would be the Tories' would be their worst result since at least 1900.

The polling shows that the Labour Party would win a landslide victory, taking 450 seats.

This would give Sir Keir Starmer a 250-seat majority - bigger than Tony Blair's majority after the 1997 landslide victory which saw the party win 419 seats.

It would be the largest win by any party in modern parliamentary history, except for 1931.

Greenpeace protester climbs onto ROOF of Tory campaign bus - 'We deserve better!'

A Greenpeace protester climbed onto the roof of the Conservative election battle bus as it stopped for the first visit of the day in Nottinghamshire.

The demonstrator held up a flag reading “clean power not paddy power” bearing the campaign group's logo.

It is understood she made it onto the roof of the coach using an extendable ladder.

The protester said she staged the action because “we deserve better than this”.

Labour candidate betting against himself is 'materially different' to Tory candidates actions, Starmer says

Sir Keir Starmer said Labour candidate Kevin Craig betting against himself was “materially different” to the Tory candidates investigated for placing bets on the election date but that his decision to suspend him was still appropriate.

“It’s materially different to the Tory being investigated – it’s one thing to use insider information about the date of the election,” Sir Keir told reporters at a visit to a GP clinic.

“It’s different to bet against yourself but you know, my decision was based on the fact that the Gambling Commission are investigating. That’s what I said I would do, and that’s what I did.”

Asked for his reaction when he found out Mr Craig had bet against himself winning his seat, Sir Keir said: “I wasn’t very happy, but I knew what was going to happen because I was clear in my own mind what the appropriate action would be.”

Asked if he had been reassured no members of his shadow cabinet had placed such bets, he said: “They know the standards that I expect of them and all candidates.”

Labour minister repeatedly refuses to rule out pensions tax raid

Labour Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall refused to rule out a tax raid on pensioners if the party wins the General Election.

Asked repeatedly if she would rule out scrapping the 25 per cent tax free pensions allowance, she declined to do so.

The allowance lets people take as much as 25 per cent of their pension pot as a tax-free sum.

Speaking to Kendall on ITV, money expert Martin Lewis pressed the Labour minister on the issue, but she said: "We have set out all of our plans in the manifesto.
"There is nothing in our manifesto that requires us to make any other changes."

He dubbed her response "disingenuous", saying a future Labour government could choose to do things that are not listed in the party’s manifesto.

Asked again if she could rule out the tax raid, Kendall said: "I’m being completely straight and honest. There’s nothing in our manifesto that requires us to make any other changes.”

Pressed on whether she could rule it out entirely, she said: “We have absolutely no plans for any other changes on taxes than is in our manifesto."

Starmer says he 'wouldn't have engaged in the way' David Dennant did

Sir Keir Starmer said he “wouldn’t have engaged in the way” David Tennant did when he said Kemi Badenoch should “shut up”.

“I think in politics, as in life, it’s really important that we are able to robustly disagree with others.

“Obviously, that happens a lot in the General Election campaign, but we should do it with respect for everybody involved in that robust discussion.

“I wouldn’t have engaged in the way that he did. I think it’s right that we have these robust discussions, but we must do it respectfully.”

Ed Davey admits to having placed bets on previous elections

Liberal Democrats leader Sir Ed Davey said he has placed two bets relating to his party at previous elections, but he has never bet on himself.

He told ITV: “I’ve never placed a bet on myself in any election, and I don’t think we should. I think that’s one of the things that would go into this review that we’re calling for. It’s really important we get that review.

“Some people might have thought it was OK to do that, they need greater clarification, they need to be told, no, you can’t do that. That’s why a really detailed review will be so important.”

Asked if he had ever placed a bet on any election he said: “The one I can remember because I got very excited was in 2010 when I thought we were going to win more seats than we did and I lost my bet.”

Davey added: “I think lots of people would have placed bets on that sort of thing, I had no insider knowledge, I could see the polls like everyone else could see the polls and I got it wrong.”

Further pressed if that was the only occasion the Lib Dem leader said: “I’m trying to think of the last one, I think on the North Shropshire by-election I might have placed a bet when Owen Paterson stood down, I thought we might have a chance and I was right there. But I think lot’s of people in politics do this. One reason why we need, to be honest, this review of gambling regulations is to get real clarity on what is allowed but what isn’t.”

Men arrested at PM's constituency home released on bail 

Four men who were arrested at the Prime Minister’s constituency home in Kirby Sigston, near Northallerton, have been released on bail, North Yorkshire Police said.

The men were detained at around 12.40pm on Tuesday before being escorted off the property and arrested on suspicion of aggravated trespass.

The force said that the men included one 52-year-old from London, one 43-year-old from Bolton, one 21-year-old from Manchester, and one 20-year-old from Chichester.

On Wednesday, a spokesman said the four have all been released on conditional police bail and “the investigation remains ongoing”.

Man arrested over Westminster honeytrap scandal

A man has been arrested in connection with the Westminster honeytrap scandal, the police said today.

A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said: “On Wednesday, 26 June, police executed a warrant at an address in Islington.

“A man was arrested on suspicion of harassment and committing offences under the Online Safety Act. He was taken into custody where he remains.

“The arrest relates to an investigation being carried out by the Met’s Parliamentary Liaison and Investigation Team following reports of unsolicited messages sent to MPs and others. The investigation remains ongoing.”

Up to 15 Tories being ‘investigated by Gambling Commission over betting scandal’

As many as 15 Tory candidates and officials are said to be under investigation by the Gambling Commission over bets on the date of the general election.

Two Conservative candidates were suspended yesterday after being implicated in the scandal. A total of five party figures have now been publicly named as part of the watchdog’s inquiries.

Scottish Secretary Alister Jack yesterday admitted to having placed three bets on the date of the general election, two in March and one in April. He insisted he had “not breached any gambling rules” and he was not under investigation by the Gambling Commission.

The BBC reported that a total of 15 Conservative candidates are under investigation by the commission.

Labour heading for 'massive majority', says Tory minister

Labour appears to be heading to a “massive majority”, Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride said.

The senior Tory, a close ally of Rishi Sunak, told Sky News: “I’m extremely worried for the future if we have a Labour government, particularly if we have one that is totally unrestrained because it has a massive majority, which is what we appear to be heading towards, with very little opposition in Parliament.

“I would just say to people on that score that I think it’s really important that we think very carefully about holding Labour to account, if they are to win this coming General Election, and that people do vote Conservative so that we have a decent opposition at least to an overweening Labour Party.”

Sunak intervenes in Kemi Badenoch - David Tennant spat

Rishi Sunak has intervened in the spat between Kemi Badenoch and actor David Tennant, suggesting the Doctor Who star is “the problem”.

Equalities minister Ms Badenoch previously said she “will not shut up” after Tennant suggested he wanted a world where she “doesn’t exist any more” during a speech at an awards show.

On Thursday, the Prime Minister said: “Freedom of speech is the most powerful feature of our democracy.

“If you’re calling for women to shut up and wishing they didn’t exist, you are the problem.”

Sir Keir Starmer has reiterated his plan to be in power for a decade, in order to "fundamentally change" the UK.

He said: "A decade indicates how long I think it’s going to take for the fundamental change, which we will see a country transformed and years later people will be able to look back and say that was a real game-changing government."

Starmer, who will be 71 in ten years time, was asked about his age. He responded: "I am determined to see this through.

"I'm still playing football every week. I've been playing since I was ten years old, these knees have been through a lot of games."