REVEALED: Keir Starmer suffers by-election blow 'in his own backyard' as Labour's support plummets - but who won?

The Conservatives have held on to a key by-election seat by just five votes in one of two losses for Sir Keir Starmer's Labour.

Judy Couch won the Nuthall East & Strelley seat on Broxtowe Borough Council for the Tories, leaving Kemi Badenoch clinging on with a slashed majority.

READ THE FULL ANALYSIS HERE.

Senior cabinet minister says digital ID will tackle small boat crisis

A senior cabinet minister and key ally of Sir Keir Starmer has said bringing in digital ID would assist in tackling the small boat crisis.

Pat McFadden said the UK is "behind the curve" as he told reporters Labour were looking to emulate countries like Estonia.

The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster told The Times: "We are still asking people to prove their identity through a multiplicity of paper-based documents.

"Like council tax bills, utility bills, bringing out their passport or their driving licence...so yes, we are looking at how we can have something that makes the access to services much easier, faster and more convenient for people."

He continued: "People shouldn’t be able to come to the UK and work illegally if they don’t have a right to work.

"I think there are applications of digital ID to the immigration system, to the benefit system, to a number of areas which can show that we are interested in proper validation of people’s identity, that the people who exercise rights are the people who are entitled to rights, and good value for money for the taxpayer."

WATCH: Patrick Christys rages 'I’m going to explode in a minute' as Epping mother makes staggering police claim

A mother from Epping has claimed that police officers dismissed her worries about asylum seekers observing schoolchildren, telling her that watching children is "not illegal".

Lindsey Thompson spoke to GB News about her conversation with law enforcement regarding men housed at a nearby hotel who were seen watching pupils near a school located 500 yards from the accommodation.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE.

Rakib Ehsan - 'Keir Starmer has betrayed mothers and their daughters'

Commentator Rakib Ehsan has argued Keir Starmer has "betrayed mothers and their daughters" as he launched a scathing attack on the Prime Minister.

Writing for GB News, he said: "While the Home Office may consider its successful appeal to reverse the decision of the High Court to have male small-boat migrants relocated from the Bell Hotel a victory, it is anything but.

"It is responsible for both border security and public safety, and the small-boats emergency and its destabilising effects in many parts of Britain show that its performance is far from stellar on these fronts."

GB NEWS MEMBERS CAN READ RAKIB'S ANALYSIS HERE.

Protesters start to gather in Epping

Protesters have started to gather in Epping following today's bombshell ruling in the high court.

Carmen, who wore a pink top that said “Pink Ladies Say, The Only Way is Epping, Send Them Home” on it, said she was “very let down” by the ruling.

She told reporters: "We come every week, march, protest, and today’s ruling is just devastating, absolutely devastating. It will probably cause civil unrest.

"It’s shocking, it’s like they’ve won. The schools go back next week – the kids will be walking around the back, it’s not good."

Asked why she was protesting outside the hotel, Carmen, who did not give her surname, said: "To show our support, get them out. We’re not racist, and I’m all for things done legally, but these are unvetted 18-30s, maybe some plus.

"We don’t know who they are, we don’t know what they’ve done, but now they’re letting us know what they’re like."

Epping Forest councillor says children are 'frightened to go to school' in the town

A councillor for Epping Forest District Council said children are "frightened to go to school" in the town, adding the Court of Appeal ruling was "hurtful".

Shane Yerrell, who represents the Waltham Abbey West ward said: "All the local parents felt like there was one big step forward when the High Court agreed to close the hotel and things started to calm down.

"But then for the Home Office and the Government to both appeal and that be accepted today is hurtful."

The Tory councillor added: "You can’t come out and say: 'These protests in Epping are wrong, I completely condemn them', but then go against what the people of Epping want, which is the hotel to be closed.

“For the Home Secretary to come out, or her barristers to come out, and say the needs of the asylum seekers are more important than ours, you don’t even know them, you don’t know the history.

"How can you put that before your own people? Or, most importantly, before the children that are frightened to go to school?

"Some of the parents are even talking about taking their kids out of that school now because they’re too frightened of what might happen when they go back in two weeks."

WATCH: Barrister rages at judge 'lumping protesters together' in controversial Epping hotel ruling

Barrister Steven Barrett has hit out at the Court of Appeal’s decision to allow asylum seekers to stay at a migrant hotel in Epping, Essex.

The bombshell ruling means asylum seekers will be allowed to stay at the Bell Hotel until a full trial can be heard.

Local residents have been protesting against the use of the Bell Hotel for illegal migrants and will likely take to the streets again in the wake of the verdict.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE.

Tories' 'terrible' legacy on asylum branded 'shameful' by opposition parties 

The Conservatives have been slammed as leaving a "terrible" legacy in the wake of today's ruling.

Green Party spokeswoman for foreign affairs Ellie Chowns said today's hearing had been a "distraction".

The Herefordshire North MP and party leadership candidate added there was a "need to sort out the terrible legacy of 14 years of Conservative government misrule and Labour’s failure to come up with workable, humane solutions."

Meanwhile, Liberal Democrat home affairs spokeswoman Lisa Smart, told the BBC that the judgment "doesn’t change the fact that the use of asylum hotels at a massive cost to the taxpayer is a shameful legacy of the Conservatives."

Robert Jenrick offers damning verdict on migrant hotel ruling - 'Two fingers up to the legitimate anger'

Robert Jenrick has said Yvette Cooper has taken the decision to "put two fingers up" to the British public.

Sources close to the Shadow Justice Secretary told GB News Mr Jenrick has convened Charlie Banner KC to provide advice to any councils who want to launch legal action against asylum accommodation

The Newark MP said: "Yvette Cooper’s decision to put two fingers up to the legitimate anger of the British public will surely inspire even more protests across the country.

"People are fed up with the Government siding with illegal migrants over the British people."

Stand Up To Racism welcomes Epping ruling - 'Hateful demonstrations should not determine public policy

Stand Up to Racism has welcomed today's ruling in Epping, with chairs of the activist group calling on "people of goodwill" to speak out against targeting of asylum seekers.

Co-chair Kevin Courtney told The Guardian: "This court judgement is welcome, hateful demonstrations should not determine public policy.

"The far right will seek to use it to stimulate more and more hostile demonstrations targeting asylum seeker in hotels.

"It’s important that all people of goodwill speak out and peacefully mobilise against this hateful targeting of vulnerable people."

The group's co-convenor Weyman Bennett added: "The initial judgement was always wrong. It was a concession to racist thugs set on scapegoating and intimidating refugees."

WATCH: Patrick Christys admits 'I'm worried for our country' as Labour braces for CHAOS

GB News star Patrick Christys has voiced serious concerns about Britain's future after the Court of Appeal overturned a decision that would have prevented asylum seekers from staying at an Essex hotel.

Patrick described Friday's ruling as a "complete disaster" for the Government, expressing alarm about the current state of the nation.

"I worry for our country today," Patrick said on GB News, highlighting what he sees as dangerously elevated tensions across society.

How did we get here? A timeline of events in Epping leading up to today

May 2020 - March 2021: The hotel starts housing asylum seekers.

October 2022: Finefair, a separate Home Office service provider, approaches the hotel’s owners about housing asylum seekers. The contract starts later that month, according to court documents from Somani Hotels.

November 2022: The hotel is contacted by Epping Forest District Council’s (EFDC) enforcement officers.

February 14, 2023: A formal application is made to EFDC for temporary approval to operate the hotel as accommodation for asylum seekers.

January 17, 2024: Finefair tells the hotel the contract will be terminated due to Home Office restructuring.

March 21, 2024: The hotel withdraws planning permission with confirmation of the date asylum seekers are expected to leave.

April 26, 2024: All asylum seekers leave the address.

September 2024: The Home Office approaches the hotel through CTM, the current Home Office contractor, to use the site as a hotel for asylum seekers.

January 2025: The Home Office informs EFDC the hotel has been identified for future use as asylum seeker accommodation.

February 20 - March 13, 2025: Discussions take place between the council and Home Office, and EFDC is informed that occupants are expected to start arriving from around the end of March.

March 17, 2025: The council writes to the Home Office, objecting to the use of the hotel to house asylum seekers.

April 2025: Asylum seekers start arriving back at the hotel.

July 10, 2025: Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, a resident of the hotel, appears in court charged in connection with the alleged sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl. He denies the allegations and his trial is ongoing, with closing speeches expected on September 4.

August 13, 2025: Mohammed Sharwarq, who resides at the hotel, is charged with sexual assault, two counts of common assault and four of assault by beating which are said to have happened between July 25 and August 12.

August 15, 2025: EFDC makes an application at the High Court for an interim injunction stopping asylum seekers from being accommodated at the hotel.

August 18, 2025: Two men, Dean Smith and Stuart Williams, plead guilty to one count of violent disorder in connection with a protest linked to the hotel on July 17.

August 19, 2025: The High Court grants EFDC a temporary injunction blocking asylum seekers from being housed at the hotel.

August 28, 2025: The Home Office’s bid to challenge the decision to temporarily block the owner of the hotel in Epping from housing asylum seekers is heard at the Court of Appeal in London.

August 29, 2025: The Court of Appeal overturns a temporary injunction that would have blocked asylum seekers from being housed at the hotel.

HAVE YOUR SAY: Should Labour respect the Epping public's views and shut the asylum hotel?

After today's landmark ruling, we're asking GB News viewers if Labour should shut the asylum hotel in Epping.

GB NEWS MEMBERS CAN HAVE THEIR SAY IN OUR POLL HERE.

Refugee charity says hotels staying open will only 'fuel division'

A refugee charity has said using hotels to house asylum seekers is "untenable" as they called on the Government to act urgently.

Refugee Council chief executive Enver Solomon said: "Waiting until 2029 to end their use is no longer an option.

"As long as hotels remain open, they will continue to be flashpoints for protests, fuelling division and leaving people who have fled war and persecution feeling unsafe.

"Through our frontline work we see how refugees housed in neighbourhoods, rather than isolated in hotels, are able to rebuild their lives, enter training or work, and contribute to the local economy."

WATCH: Epping councillor vows to 'keep fighting' after court's migrant hotel decision

Epping Conservative Councillor Ken Williamson has lamented the Court of Appeal’s decision to overturn the temporary injunction on the Epping migrant hotel.

Speaking to reporters, Mr Williamson, the councillor for Buckhurst Hill West, was defiant in his believe "the battle is not over."

He vowed to "continue the fight" as it is "nothing less than the people of Epping would expect and deserve."

Chris Philp says Labour have used the courts 'against the British public'

Shadow home secretary Chris Philp has launched a scathing attack on today's ruling, accusing Labour of "using the courts against the British public.

Philp, the MP for Croydon South, said: The Epping case has seen the Labour Government using the courts against the British public.

"The government even brazenly said in court that the rights of illegal immigrants were more important than the rights of local people.

"The numbers in asylum hotels were dropping fast before the election, but have risen since because Labour has lost control of our borders.

"We need a proper deterrent so that all illegal immigrants are immediately removed on arrival.

"Then no one would bother crossing in the first place. We had a plan to do this, the Rwanda plan, but Labour scrapped it just before it was due to start. And as a result, numbers crossing the channel are now the worst ever.

"We have a full blown border crisis and public safety crisis, but this government is too weak to take the action needed to fix it."

READ IN FULL: Labour's response to today's ruling

Dame Angela Eagle MP, Minister for Border Security and Asylum said: "We inherited a chaotic asylum accommodation system costing billions.

"This government will close all hotels by the end of this Parliament and we appealed this judgment so hotels like the Bell can be exited in a controlled and orderly way that avoids the chaos of recent years that saw 400 hotels open at a cost of £9m a day.

"The number of hotels has almost halved since its peak in 2023 and we have brought down costs by 15 per cent saving £700m and putting us on track to save a billion pounds a year by 2028-29.

"We are also working hard to relieve pressure on the system and striking back at criminal people smuggling gangs at every stage, including returning more than 35,000 people who have no right to be here, equipping law enforcement with counter-terror style powers and starting to detain small boat arrivals under our groundbreaking deal with France.

"It will take some time to fix the broken system we inherited, but the British public deserve nothing less, and we will not stop until the job is done."

WATCH: Mark White gives his snap verdict on bombshell ruling

GB News's Home and Security Editor Mark White has delivered his analysis after the Government won its appeal against a High Court ruling.

The decision to halt the housing of migrants at the Bell Hotel in Epping has been overturned.

Mark says the news will come as a "bitter blow" for Epping locals who have been protesting against the hotel's use as a migrant hotel.

James Cleverly suggests Home Office is cutting local people out of the loop

Senior Tory James Cleverly suggested that the Home Office was cutting local people out of the loop.

Mr Clevely said: "I'm sure that Yvette Cooper and the Home Office officials think this is good news. It really isn't.

"Cutting local people and their elected representatives out of the loop isn't a good look."

'Judges will side with illegal migrants against British people' - Richard Tice

Deputy Reform leader Richard Tice said: "Judges side with illegal migrants against British people."

In a post on X, Mr Tice said: "ECHR used by judges to overrule planning law, democratic protests and the safety of Epping residents.

"Only ⁦Reform UK⁩ can be trusted to end this insanity."

Owner of The Bell Hotel reacts to the Court of Appeal's ruling

Somani Hotels has reacted to the Court of Appeal's ruling, saying they are "pleased that the Court of Appeal has ruled that the injunction should not have been granted by the High Court".

Lisa Foster of Richard Buxton Solicitors, which represents Somani Hotels, said: "Our clients realise that they have been caught in the middle of a much wider debate on the treatment of asylum seekers and respectfully ask that members of the public understand that the Bell Hotel has simply been providing a contracted service that the Government requires.

"We now ask that all associated with the Bell Hotel are left alone to continue to support the Government's asylum plans as best they can.

"We are grateful to the Court of Appeal for appreciating the urgency of the matter from everyone's point of view and dealing with the matter so swiftly. We have no further comment and will not be commenting on the matter again."

Asylum seekers allowed to STAY in migrant hotel

Yvette Cooper has been handed a key victory as asylum seekers will now be allowed to stay at an Epping migrant hotel until a full trial can be heard, a senior court has said in a bombshell ruling.

The Court of Appeal has overturned a temporary appeal against the Bell Hotel pending the trial in October to allowed those housed in the building to remain where they are.

The ruling is likely to spark anger among local residents of the Essex town who had protested against the use of the Bell Hotel for illegal migrants.

Lord Justice Cobb, said that Mr Justice Eyre made an "erroneous" decision not to let the department be involved.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Epping Hotel ruling set to take place

Three senior judges are set to rule on whether to overturn a temporary injunction, which is set to block asylum seekers from being housed at the Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex.

The decision is set to be made at 2pm by Lord Justice Bean, sitting with Lady Justice Nicola Davies and Lord Justice Cobb.

Lord Bean said: "Because of the great urgency of this matter, we will aim to give judgment at 2pm tomorrow. If it proves impractical for us to meet the deadline, we will let people know in advance."

Decision to follow.

Sir Keir Starmer has not kept a special whisky from Donald Trump

Sir Keir Starmer has not kept a special edition whisky gifted to him by Donald Trump's Turnberry golf resort, as its value exceeded the limit for gifts that Government members can accept without declaring them.

He also received a book and a tie from French President Emmanuel Macron, as well as a leather wallet that Lady Victoria Starmer received from Brigitte Macron. These items have been held by Number 10 rather than being personally owned.

On July 27, Sir Keir also enjoyed hospitality from UEFA and the FA for the Women's Euros final, which England's Lionesses won.

During his visit to the UK, the Prime Minister presented the US President with a book and a golf club. He also received an ornamental shield from the Sultan of Oman, which has been retained by Downing Street.

Reform UK conference attracting more interest from lobbyists who are viewing the party more 'seriously'

Lobbyists are "taking Reform seriously" with more than ever planning to attend the party's conference in September.

A survey by the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) found that 20 per cent of lobbying firms planned to send staff to Reform UK's annual conference in Birmingham.

This is up from 12 per cent in 2024 and four per cent in 2023.

Head of public relations and policy at the CIPR, Jon Gerils, said: "Our survey speaks for itself. Lobbyists are taking Reform seriously. One in five is now planning to attend, and if the political winds keep up, we expect to see this number increase further."

Reform UK's conference will take place in Birmingham on September 5 and 6.

US Vice President JD Vance backs Britons flying Union Jack and St George's flags - 'Push back against the crazies'

US Vice President JD Vance has told Britons to "push back against the crazies" who are offended by the flying of the Union Jack and St George's flag.

Mr Vance, who has frequently commented on cases of "infringements on free speech" in Britain, backed those who are putting up flags across the country.

Mr Vance said: "You see the same things happening in Europe, and I think we just have to be on guard against this stuff.

"It's okay to be proud of your country. It's, in fact, a good thing to be proud of your country."

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Scottish Greens elect new co-leadership team

Scottish Greens have elected a new co-leadership team, with MSPs Gillian Mackay and Ross Greer voted in to take the party forward.

The pair replaces Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater, who served as junior ministers in the Scottish Government under a powersharing deal with the SNP.

Mr Harvie announced earlier this year that he was standing down from his post.

Ms Slater had stood for re-election, but was defeated in the leadership contest, which is held every two years under Scottish Green Party rules.

Labour MSP Colin Smyth 'put secret camera in Scottish Parliament toilets'

A Labour MSP has been charged with placing a secret camera in the toilets of the Scottish Parliament Building.

It was revealed earlier this month that the Scottish Labour MSP Colin Smyth was arrested and charged with the possession of indecent images.

He was arrested at his home in Dumfries on August 5, with his phone and computer being searched.

The Daily Record reported that he has been charged over allegations that he placed a camera in a toilet at the Scottish Parliament building.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Ellie Costello confronts Tory MP with damning poll as party suffers major slump

Ellie Costello challenged Conservative MP Matt Vickers with devastating polling data that places his party in fifth place among UK voters.

During their exchange, Miss Costello cited figures showing Reform UK leading with 34 per cent support, whilst the Conservatives languished at just 21 per cent.

Recent polling data reveals a major shift in the political landscape, with YouGov's latest survey placing Reform UK at 28 per cent support amongst voters.

Labour has plummeted to just 20 per cent, marking the party's weakest performance since 2019, before Sir Keir Starmer assumed leadership.

WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW ABOVE AND READ THE FULL STORY HERE

New Scottish Green leadership team to be announced

The Scottish Greens are set to announce the result of their leadership election.

Current co-leader Lorna Slater, MSPs Gillian Mackay and Ross Greer and activist Dominic Ashmole are seeking to form the new co-leadership team, with the result to be announced at an event in Edinburgh.

Co-leader Patrick Harvie, who has been one of the party's leaders since 2008, announced earlier this year that he would step down from the role but continue to be an MSP.

The Green Party of England and Wales is also holding its own leadership election, with polls due to close on Saturday.

Labour MP Stephen Kinnock calls for injunction on Epping Hotel to avoid a 'disorderly discharge of asylum seekers'

Labour MP Stephen Kinnock has called for an injunction on The Bell Hotel in Epping to avoid a "disorderly discharge of asylum seekers".

Mr Kinnock blamed the "mess" Labour inherited from the Conservatives for the situation they found themselves in.

Speaking to GB News, he said: "I am deeply, deeply frustrated, and the Government is by the use of these hotels being used by these asylum seekers - that is not what these hotels are for.

"Unfortunately, they are because of the mess we inherited from the previous Government, and we are taking action to deal with it.

"If we end up with a disorderly discharge of asylum seekers from these hotels, it will just make the situation even worse - we have to manage that discharge

"As we said in our manifesto, we will end the use of these hotels for asylum seekers."

WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW ABOVE

Tories beat Reform by only 5 VOTES in council by election

The Tories scraped to victory in a Broxtowe Borough Council by-election, winning by a mere five votes.

Judy Couch won the Nuthall East and Strelley seat with 405 votes, while Reform UK candidate Neil Isted received 400 votes.

Miss Couch said it was a "nail-biting" result after a recount, which confirmed the win.

The full results were:

• Judy Couch (Conservatives) - 405
• Neil Isted (Reform UK) - 400
• Graham Lambert (Broxtowe Alliance) - 275
• Domenica Lopinto (Labour Party) - 244
• Rachel Gravett (Green Party) - 70
• Tyrone Gall (Independent) - 21

Turnout for the election was 35 per cent

'It is literally Labour against the British people': Shadow Home Office Minister Matt Vickers calls for the closure of The Bell Hotel in Epping

Shadow Home Office Minister Matt Vickers said The Epping Hotel case is "literally the Labour Government against the British people".

Speaking to GB News, Mr Vickers called for the closure of the hotel and put an end to the "atrocious situation".

He said: "Those protesters are right. The Conservative Councils that brought this case forward and got that injunction are right.

"The Government is saying that the people who broke into this country should come before the law-abiding citizens in those areas.

"That community is terrified, people are afraid for their women and children going around in their own communities. The place needs closing."

WATCH THE FULL DISCUSSION WITH MR VICKERS ABOVE

Nigel Farage pledges support for the people of Essex ahead of Epping hotel decision

Head of Reform UK Nigel Farage has pledged his support for the people of Essex ahead of three judges' ruling today on whether to overturn a temporary injunction, set to block asylum seekers from being housed at the Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex.

Mr Farage posted on X: "Illegal migrants have more rights than the people of Essex.

"Reform UK will put an end to this."

Ulez zone could be SUSPENDED with millions owed refunds

London's Ulez zone could be suspended and millions of pounds refunded to motorists if a fresh legal challenge is successful.

Scaffolding business owner Noel Willcox is taking Transport for London (TfL) to court over auto-pay charges based on incorrect signage of the Low Emission Zone (Lez) and Ulez.

He already won a similar case over the Low Emission Zone (Lez) after he was fined £11,500 for driving his truck in the capital.

Former Conservative Mayor of London candidate Susan Hall told GB News: "If Noel's claim is successful, it will be a fantastic victory for him after years of fighting for what is rightfully his.

"What amazes me is that Transport for London carried on charging motorists from October 2021, when the Adjudicator had already ruled the Low Emission Zone signage unlawful, right through until the Ulez expansion in August 2023."

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Judges set to rule if The Bell Hotel in Epping will house asylum seekers

Three senior judges will rule today on whether to overturn a temporary injunction, which is set to block asylum seekers from being housed at the Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex.

The decision is set to be made at 2pm by Lord Justice Bean, sitting with Lady Justice Nicola Davies and Lord Justice Cobb.

Lord Bean said: "Because of the great urgency of this matter, we will aim to give judgment at 2pm tomorrow. If it proves impractical for us to meet the deadline, we will let people know in advance."

Somani Hotels, which owns the Bell Hotel in Epping, and the Home Office are seeking to challenge a High Court ruling that will stop 138 asylum seekers from being housed there beyond September 12.