A petition to protect Northern Ireland veterans from "two-tier" prosecutions has reached 100,000 signatures and counting, setting the stage for a parliamentary debate.
The petition, which was launched just 12 days ago, calls on Labour to "not make any changes to legislation that would allow Northern Ireland veterans to be prosecuted for doing their duty in combating terrorism".
And now, top Tories and Reform UK MPs have urged even more people to sign it.
Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick vowed: "The fight for justice goes on," while Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge said he was "delighted" that it had reached the 100,000 mark.
"We need that debate. We cannot have another era of lawfare persecution," Cartlidge added.
While Reform's Sarah Pochin MP, a former magistrate, said: "The motto for the SAS was 'Who Dares Wins', not 'Who Dares Gets Prosecuted'" as she called on Britons to sign the petition.
"Please back Sarah and sign the petition," her leader Nigel Farage added. "Our soldiers deserve better."
Ex-Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith has hailed the Northern Ireland veterans petition passing 100,000 signatures - as Britons continue to lend their support for the poll.
Since this evening's top story on the petition was published, thousands more people have signed it.
And now, IDS has issued a succinct message of thanks.
"Thank you to everyone who had signed this so far, showing support for Northern Ireland veterans," he said.
Yesterday, veteran Tory MP David Davis went head-to-head with Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn on protections for NI veterans following the news that Army chiefs have imposed a ban on troops publicly supporting them.
"722 British soldiers were killed by paramilitary murderers during The Troubles," he said.
"Not one of those deaths will be revisited."
They now face a slew of "politically motivated trials", Davis said. "I can think of no better example of two-tier justice."
The ex-Brexit Secretary then called on Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn to move to protect them - to which Benn replied: "I agree with what the Defence Secretary said in 2019... The British Army upholds British values, which is the rule of law - and that is what we stand for."
Benn also warned Davis against using the phrase "politically motivated" prosecutions.
That prompted the Tory ex-Minister to write on social media afterwards: "A non-answer from Hillary Benn on protecting veterans.
"As for 'politically motivated' prosecutions, what else do you call it when, for political reasons, you pardon known murderers and allow the prosecution of soldiers for simply doing their duty in defence of the realm?"
Sir Keir Starmer has claimed Nigel Farage and Kemi Badenoch are "in the column" with Russia, China and Iran as he confirmed his Chagos Islands "surrender" deal.
The Prime Minister told a press conference at Northwood Headquarters: "It is worth reminding ourselves who is in favour of this treaty, this deal, and who’s against it.
"In favour are all of our allies: the US, Nato, Five Eyes, India.
"Against it, Russia, China, Iran and, surprisingly, the leader of the opposition and Nigel Farage are in that column alongside Russia, China and Iran, rather than the column that has the UK and its allies in it."
He also railed against how "other approaches to secure the base have been tried over the years and they have failed".
"Boris Johnson failed in his efforts to endlessly delay," Starmer spat. "Liz Truss then started the negotiation. We inherited a negotiation in which the principle of giving up UK sovereignty had already been conceded by the previous Tory Government."
Ex-Home Secretary Suella Braverman has slapped down Sir Keir Starmer's Chagos "surrender", joining a slew of other high-profile critics on the British right.
"This is a dreadful betrayal of the British people and our national security," she said. "The Mauritians are laughing at us."
Braverman continued: "Why are we surrendering our own territory and paying Billions for the privilege?
"This, from the same Government that cut the Winter Fuel Allowance for pensioners and raised NI to pay for their grubby deal.
"Starmer has humiliated us on the world stage."
Kemi Badenoch has released an incendiary rebuke to Sir Keir Starmer after he claimed she was "in that column alongside Russia, China and Iran" for opposing the Chagos "sell-out".
The Tory leader said: "It speaks volumes about this shameful Prime Minister that he attacks me instead of owning up to another wrong-headed, wasteful, and dangerous deal.
"I make no apology for opposing this disgraceful Chagos sell-out:
"All to appease the lawyers and activist elite Keir Starmer surrounds himself with.
"Other countries may nod along, but behind closed doors, they must think we’ve lost our minds.
"Labour is turning Britain into a global laughing stock."
Defence Secretary John Healey has condemned so-called "misinformation" following today's Chagos "surrender" deal.
He said the agreement "guarantees the full, continued UK control of Diego Garcia for the next 99 years and beyond".
Healey later added: "There has been a great deal of misinformation about this treaty, much of it fuelled by the Conservative Party opposite.
"The simple truth is that our national security rests on securing a deal that protects our operational sovereignty of this vital military installation.
"By signing this treaty on our terms, the Prime Minister has ensured that the UK retains full control of Diego Garcia throughout the next century and beyond.
"It is a deal struck in the national interest, it is a deal that makes Britons today and generations to come safer and more secure."
Defence Secretary John Healey is addressing the Commons on the Chagos "surrender".
You can watch his address on the live stream above - and we'll bring you all the top lines in the blog here.
Downing Street has failed to deny that the Falkland Islands could be imperilled by an Argentine legal challenge following today's Chagos "surrender".
Asked whether Argentina may now feel emboldened to make an international legal challenge over the Falklands following the deal, a No10 spokesman said: "I'm not going to deal with hypothetical situations such as the one you just outlined.
"But, as I say, this is an essential deal for British national security, for British lives on British soil."
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has come out to back today's Chagos Islands handover despite rising fury back in Britain.
He said: "The US welcomes the historic agreement between the UK and Mauritius on the future of the Chagos archipelago.
"This agreement secures the long-term, stable, and effective operation of the joint US-UK military facility at Diego Garcia, which is critical to regional and global security.
"We value both parties' dedication. The US looks forward to our continued joint work to ensure the success of our shared operations."
Sir Keir Starmer is facing a Labour backlash over today's Chagos Islands "humiliation".
The Times reports that Labour's Crawley MP Peter Lamb has blasted his party leader for "hiding behind a judgement" in order to give away the strategic base.
"Getting real tired of this 'the courts have settled it' line of argument being wheeled out by the PM," Lamb said in a WhatsApp group.
"They interpret current law, MPs make the law. You can't hide behind a judgement and claim it gives you cover from questions over what is right or proper."
GB News' Deputy Political Editor Tom Harwood writes: "The worst trade deal in history? Throwing away a vital strategic asset only to then have to lease it back to the tune of hundreds of millions of pounds of British taxpayers’ money.
"Absolutely hate it here. Is this what Suez felt like? Perhaps the Cod Wars? Total capitulation. Total emasculation. Defeat.
"Britain isn’t big enough. And today, we got a little smaller. Thanks in no small part to Jonathan Powell."
Outrage over the Chagos "surrender" is still boiling over - with Tory MP Neil O'Brien the latest in a furious pile-on against the Prime Minister.
"Unreal," he says. "Billions given away because purely because he craves the approval of fellow human rights lawyers."
High-profile figures from across the British right have been united in their fury following the confirmation of the Chagos Islands "surrender" deal.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said: "Chagos has been ours since 1814. It hosts a vital military base. Surrendering it to Mauritius is an act of national self-harm. It leaves us more exposed to China, and ignores the will of the Chagossian people. AND WE'RE PAYING BILLIONS TO DO SO."
Ex-Reform UK firebrand MP Rupert Lowe said: "Starmer has signed away the Chagos Islands. Defeat. Surrender. Humiliation. Resign, Keir Starmer."
A Tory Party spokesman said: "Surrender. Betrayal. Madness. Keir Starmer has just made Britain poorer, smaller and less safe."
Nigel Farage, speaking ahead of the "surrender", said: "Despite the Chagos Islanders winning a High Court injunction to prevent the giving away of the islands, the Government will seek to overturn this. Why is Starmer so desperate to give away the islands? There is no legal need, it will cost us approximately £52billion, and play into the hands of China. Why?"
Less than a quarter of Labour voters think Sir Keir Starmer would make a "very positive" difference to Britain, a damning new poll has found.
Fresh data from YouGov has revealed that just 22 per cent of Labour voters now back the Prime Minister - while over half of Reform UK voters think Farage would have a "very positive" effect on the UK.
Some 55 per cent of those who voted for Nigel Farage's party at the last election believe a Reform Government would bring major benefits to Britain.
Only 28 per cent of current Conservatives, 27 per cent of Lib Dems and 22 per cent of those currently intending to vote Labour saying a Government led by their respective party would make a very positive difference to the UK.
By contrast, the voters of these parties tend to believe their choice of party could only make a fairly positive difference to the UK if in power.
The poll which was taken between May 8 and May 9 found that 63 per cent of current Labour voters, 58 per cent of Lib Dems and 52 per cent of Conservatives saying their respective parties would have a fairly positive difference to how the country is run.
Defence Secretary John Healey will address the House of Commons on the future of the Diego Garcia military base in the Chagos Islands on Thursday.
This will take place at the end of Parliament's main business - which will be approximately 5pm.
He is currently speaking alongside the Prime Minister and senior British Army officer General Sir James Hockenhull at the British Army's Northwood Headquarters - and you can read the full story on the signing of the Chagos handover deal at the link below.
Labour has confirmed a slew of pay rises for various high-ranking public sector roles - almost all of which are above the country's 3.5 per cent inflation rate.
Nigel FarageGETTYNigel Farage has blamed both Labour and the Conservatives for today's "disastrous" net migration figures.
Office for National Statistics data has placed net migration at an estimated 431,000 in the year ending December 2024, down 49.9 per cent from 860,000 a year earlier - but almost 1,000,000 people arrived in Britain last year.
Farage said: "Net migration of over 400,000 for Labour’s first year of government. Not as high as the great Tory betrayal, but still disastrous."
Teachers and school leaders in England will receive a four per cent pay rise from September, the Education Secretary has announced.
Bridget Phillipson said £615 million of additional funding will be provided to schools this financial year to help them with the costs of pay awards for staff.
In a written ministerial statement, Phillipson said: "This means school teachers will see an increase in their pay of almost 10 per cent since this Government took power and over 22 per cent over the last four years."
She added: "Schools will be expected to find approximately the first one per cent of pay awards through improved productivity and smarter spending to make every pound count.
Dame Priti Patel
PA
Dame Priti Patel has launched a scathing attack on today's Chagos ruling, saying Chagossians had been "betrayed" by Labour.
The shadow foreign secretary wrote on social media: "The High Court decision this afternoon will be very disappointing for Chagossians. They deserve great credit for the dignified way they have fought and campaigned for their rights.
"But this process has once again highlighted the shameful actions of Labour ministers. They have ignored them and are disgracefully forcing force through the surrender of the sovereignty of the Chagos Islands and handing over billions of pounds of taxpayers’ money to Mauritius.
"Instead of coming to the House of Commons to explain themselves, both Keir Starmer and David Lammy are in hiding. Let’s be in no doubt, the Chagossians have been betrayed by Labour and their cowardly actions. Labour have broken promises made to protect their rights."
Former Reform UK MP Rupert Lowe has slammed the High court's decision to allow the Chagos deal to go ahead, calling it a "surrender."
The MP for Great Yarmouth said on social media: "The High Court has given the green light.
"The Chagos Islands surrender will go ahead. A total and utter humiliation for Britain."
Supporters outside the High Court in central London, during a hearing over a last-minute block on the Government from concluding its deal on the Chagos IslandsPAThe High Court has ruled the Chagos deal can go ahead after an emergency injunction was put into place.
The deal, which would see Britain give up sovereignty of the island territory to Mauritius and lease back a crucial military base there, was due to be signed this morning but was temporarily blocked by a High Court judge hours before.
The Liberal Democrats have accused the Conservatives of "playing politics" over domestic abuse cases.
Eastbourne MP and the party's justice spokesman Josh Babarinde took to the Commons to ask how how victims of domestic abuse would be protected under Government reforms to overhaul the prisons system.
He said: "We would like to get clarity on the record that the new identifier would mean that the Government could be empowered to exclude domestic abusers from, for example, an SDS40 early release scheme, and that partners using Clare’s law would see offences flagged as domestic abuse in light of this.
"And something that must be said is that it is absolutely appalling that the shadow Justice Secretary (Robert Jenrick) has tried to play politics with domestic abuse.”
Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood replied: "The new identifier will develop over time, and I am sure it will inform future policy decisions made by governments of all stripes, but it is an important start point, and we are very happy to accept the recommendation and we will move at pace so that we can make sure we deliver it."
Shabana Mahmood speaking in the commons earlier today
Parliament
Offenders could be tasked with filling potholes or cleaning rubbish under new proposals announced by the Justice Secretary.
Shabana Mahmood told the Commons: "I will shortly bring together business leaders to explore a model where offenders work for them with a salary paid not to the offender, but made for the good of victims.
"I will also work with local authorities to determine how unpaid work teams could give back to their communities, be that filling potholes or cleaning rubbish.”"
She added: "It is too easy to focus on how we punish offenders when we should talk more about victims. Everything I am announcing today is in pursuit of a justice system that serves victims. If our prisons collapse, it is victims who pay the price, and by cutting reoffending, we will have fewer victims in future."
Culture minister Sir Chris Bryant has sought to "bury" rumours that the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) will be abolished, saying it would be "absolute madness."
When pressed on recent reports that DCMS is in the firing line, Bryant branded these "daft rumours", adding: “Honestly, the department is not going to be abolished."
Lord Frost speaks at PopConPAFormer Chief Brexit negotiator Lord Frost has not ruled out running for Reform UK at a future general election.
Frost said he was "not emotionally committed to the Conservatives" adding "let’s see how that plays out."
He told The Telegraph: "I’m waiting. What I want is a last chance really for a party on the Right that can deliver meaningful Right-wing, principled policies.
"I’m not emotionally committed to the Conservatives in the way that others are. I want the party that is going to do the job and get the job done, and let’s see how that plays out."
Liberal Democrats leader Sir Ed Davey has spoken to Stephen Dixon and Ellie Costello about the insight his new book provides into his life as a carer.
Many of Davey’s loved ones have suffered with health issues, meaning he has taken on a caring role in many of their lives.
He reflects on how he became closer to his family as a result of him looking after them more.
Jenrick has reacted to the new figures
GB NewsRobert Jennrick has claimed reforms the Conservatives brought in are the reasons behind the fall in net migration.
Reacting to today's ONS figures, the Shadow Justice Secretary said: "The changes I secured as Immigration Minister have led to net migration almost halving. But it’s still far too high. The last Government weren’t willing to go further so I resigned.
"For all his talk, Starmer’s white paper was a white flag. We must end mass migration for good."
Net migration to the UK is estimated to have halved in a boost for Sir Keir Starmer.
The Office for National Statistics revealed this morning that net migration to the UK is estimated to have halved from 860,000 in the year ending December 2023 to 431,000 in the year ending December 2024.
The Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey hit out at the Tories over Robert Jenrick's reaction to the announcement the Chagos deal would be thwarted.
"I haven’t seen any of the details but clearly the Chagos negotiations have been going on for years now" he told GB News this morning.
"There were several rounds under the Conservatives who I think if they had been returned [to Government] a deal would have been concluded, despite what they say now."
Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood is considering mandatory chemical castration for the most serious sex offenders, according to government sources.
The minister’s department is planning to expand a pilot to 20 regions as part of a package of "radical" measures to free thousands of prisoners and ease prison overcrowding in England and Wales.
The report has urged ministers to build a comprehensive evidence base around the use of chemical suppression for sex offenders and examine the findings of similar programmes in Germany, Denmark and Poland.
Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick has told GB News he is hopeful last-minute legal action brought against the Government’s Chagos deal will ultimately lead to it being scrapped.
Speaking on the People’s Channel, Jenrick expressed delight after it was revealed Justice Goose granted “interim relief” to two Chagossian women who had brought a case against the Foreign Office.
The Chagos Islands deal will not be signed off after an injunction was granted in the early hours of today by a High Court judge.
In the injunction granted at 2.25am, brought against the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Justice Goose granted "interim relief" to Bertrice Pompe, who had previously taken steps to bring legal action over the deal.
According to the order, the judge granted the injunction "upon consideration of the claimant’s application for interim relief made out of court hours" and "upon reading the defendants’ response."
Sir Keir Starmer has joined dozens of world leaders in signing a contract that grants the World Health Organization (WHO) the power to recommend lockdowns.
The WHO said it was a "victory for public health, science and multilateral action" and would "better protect the world from future pandemic threats."
However, sceptics said it would give the organisation too much control and influence, including by recommending specific policies like lockdowns and mask mandates.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves
UK Government borrowing rose by more than expected to £20.2 billion last month, mounting further pressure on Chancellor Rachel Reeves to meet her fiscal rules.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said public sector net borrowing rose to its fourth-highest April figure on record after increasing £1 billion year-on-year.
The state borrowing figure reflects the difference between Government spending and its income, largely through tax receipts.
The latest figure showed that the Chancellor had to borrow more money than expected over the month, surpassing analyst predictions of £17.6 billion.
A Labour source pointed the finger of blame for the leak of a memo at allies close to Angela Rayner.
The memo in which she had Rachel Reeves, the chancellor, to raise taxes rather than reduce spending.
They told The Times: "She clearly wants to differentiate herself. Keir and Rachel have been joined at the hip, so Angela’s people must want to signal she’s fighting against No 10 and No 11, even if it’s internally.”
