Voting underway in crunch Gorton & Denton by-election after month of fierce campaigning

Bangladeshi court issues Interpol Red Notice for former Labour anti-corruption minister Tulip Siddiq after being convicted

A Bangladeshi court has issued an Interpol Red Notice for a Labour MP after she was convicted of corruption.

Tulip Siddiq, MP for Hampstead and Highgate and former anti-corruption minister, has been sentenced to four years in prison for corruption charges by a court in Bangladesh.

Ms Siddiq’s aunt, former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, was given a 10-year term by the same court over a corruption case involving a government township project near the capital Dhaka.

Hasina was ousted in 2024 in a student-led mass uprising that ended her 15-year rule and has been in exile in India since August 2024.

Read the full story here.

Assisted dying bill at risk of not meeting its May deadline

The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill is almost certainly set to miss its deadline in May to become an Act of Parliament.

Assisted dying campaigner, Dame Esther Rantzen, speaking on Sky News today, hit out at “religious people” and “lobbyists” and blamed peers opposing the law change for “absolute blatant sabotage”.

Sir Ed Davey, Leader of the Liberal Democrats also called the situation "appalling", despite voting against the Bill.

Dr Simon Opher, who helped develop the legislation, accused "a small group of unelected peers - many of whom were rejected at the ballot box at the last election" of "utilising archaic filibustering tactics to frustrate" it.

However, Conservative peer, Lord Harper said that claims that some in the Lords are purposefully delaying the legislative process for the Bill is “factually complete nonsense”, Sky News reports.

The Bill is currently at the committee stage in the House of Lords, and needs to go through several other stages before it is given Royal Assent.

Zarah Sultana remains 'committed to building a socialist, anti-imperialist, anti-Zionist party' despite leadership loss 

After Your Party's central executive committee results were released earlier today, with Jeremy Corbyn's faction of the party taking a clear win, his rival, Zarah Sultana posted a statement on X calling for "greater transparency and accountability".

She wrote: "Across the party, there is a strong call for greater transparency and accountability; for branches to be properly recognised and respected, and for access to membership data and resources.

"These are reasonable, democratic expectations that reflect a shared commitment to building a stronger, more effective movement rooted in its membership."

She continued in her statement, to say the "stakes are too high" for the party not to work together, with "fascism growling at the door".

The MP for Coventry South said: "I remain committed to building a socialist, anti-imperialist, anti-Zionist party that is democratic, member-led, and focused on delivering real material change for our communities."

Spain will be able to PREVENT Britons from entering Gibraltar as Keir Starmer's EU border deal published

Spain will be able to prevent Britons from entering Gibraltar under new post-Brexit plans published today.

While the deal will mean no routine passport checks at the Spain-Gibraltar land border, checks will apply to those arriving by air.

Those flying into Gibraltar from the UK will face dual border controls: one check from Gibraltarian officials and another by the Spanish on behalf of the EU, similar to French police operating at St Pancras Station in London.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE.

Sadiq Khan confirms new car ban in London with vehicles set to be restricted from Oxford Street

Sir Sadiq Khan has approved plans to pedestrianise Oxford Street in a move that will ban vehicle traffic in one of the busiest parts of the capital.

The London Mayor has backed plans to shut roads for motor vehicles on Oxford Street in a bid to improve air quality and boost business in the area.

Following a consultation, Sir Sadiq Khan has given the green light to pedestrianise Europe's busiest shopping street.

Our Motoring Editor Felix Reeves has the full story here.

Lisa Nandy rips into BBC again as Culture Secretary fumes 'there's too many incidents' amid Bafta probe

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has intensified pressure on the BBC, warning there have been "too many incidents of this kind" following the corporation’s broadcast of a racial slur during its coverage of the Bafta Film Awards.

Speaking during Culture, Media and Sport questions in the Commons on Thursday, Ms Nandy said the Government had been left dissatisfied with the broadcaster’s initial handling of the controversy.

"I think it’s fair to say that this Government and I were not satisfied with the initial response from the BBC," she told MPs.

Our entertainment correspondent Lydia Davies has the story here.

Polling stations in Gorton & Denton open till 10pm

Polling stations in Gorton & Denton are open until 10pm tonight.

We're expecting results to be announced in the early hours of Friday morning.

GB News will bring you the very latest coverage into the night.

Jersey becomes second part of British Isles to pass assisted dying legislation

A second part of the British Isles has voted through legislation to legalise assisted dying, but concerns have been raised about delays to getting such laws on the statute books.

Jersey’s States Assembly passed its draft Assisted Dying Law on Thursday and the legislation will now go for royal assent so it can formally become law on the island.

The move follows the passage of legislation in the Isle of Man, where the Tynwald became the first parliament in the British Isles to agree a framework for assisted dying in March last year.

Supporters of a law change have raised concerns at the almost year-long wait for the Isle of Man Bill to be granted royal assent.

As Crown Dependencies, for primary legislation on the Isle of Man and Jersey to get royal assent and therefore formally become law, the Lord Chancellor, currently David Lammy, is required to make a recommendation that it should do so.

Keir Starmer blasted over 'undemocratic' Chagos deal after 'denying' pause in process

Sir Keir Starmer has been lambasted for his "undemocratic" Chagos Islands deal with Mauritius after being forced to deny there has been a "pause" in proceedings.

Speaking to GB News, Editor of the Chagos files Tessa Clarke said there has been a lack of "consideration" for the Chagossian people.

Labour was forced to deny that its deal to hand over the archipelago was put on the back-burner on Wednesday after MPs were told the Government was "pausing for discussions with our American counterparts".

Jeremy Corbyn becomes Your Party's parliamentary leader

Jeremy Corbyn will become Your Party's parliamentary leader after his "The Many" campaign won a decisive victory over Zarah Sultana’s "Grassroots Left" group.

The Many won a decisive victory of 14 out of 24 seats on the inaugural Central Executive Committee), with seven seats for the Grassroots Left, plus three independent candidates.

In a statement, Mr Corbyn, the MP for Islington North, said: "I am delighted that members have voted for a mass, socialist party that takes the fight to Starmer and Farage.

"Now, the real work begins. We have a precious opportunity to unite our movement around a bold vision for this country, one that creates a more caring, equal and peaceful world for all.

"I look forward to working with all members to make this vision a reality. We are at a dangerous moment.

"The fear, divisiveness and racism of Reform should not be appeased. It must be opposed. There is only one way we will defeat them: by working together under a common cause of redistribution and peace.

“Together, we can provide hope to those who are fed up with inequality, disempowered by poverty and disgusted by war and build a society that cares for each other and cares for all."

Met Police apologises to Lord Speaker after he was misidentified over Mandelson info

The Metropolitan Police has apologised to the Speaker of the House of Lords after the “inadvertent revealing of information into allegations of misconduct in public office”.

Lord Forsyth of Drumlean was wrongly said in some media reports to have passed information to the police ahead of Lord Peter Mandelson’s arrest on Monday on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

The Lord Speaker held a meeting with the Met on Thursday morning after the claims were aired in public.

Lord Mandelson, the former ambassador to Washington DC, was arrested on Monday on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

The peer, who has been accused of passing sensitive information on to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein during his time as business secretary, has been bailed until May.

Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the House of Commons Speaker, received an apology on Wednesday from the Met for “inadvertently revealing information during an investigation into allegations of misconduct in public office”.

Gibraltar to 'remain British' as draft treaty published

Gibraltar will remain British, but people will be able to travel freely across the land border with Spain, according to a post-Brexit agreement on the territory.

The UK, alongside the Government of Gibraltar, has published a draft treaty with the EU that outlines the arrangements for a "fluid border" for people and goods.

The deal will mean no routine passport checks at the Spain-Gibraltar border for the 15,000 people who cross it every day.

However, checks will apply to those arriving by air, so those flying into Gibraltar from the UK will face dual border controls: one check from Gibraltarian officials and another by the Spanish on behalf of the EU.

There will also be a tailored customs model to "eliminate burdensome goods checks", the British Government said.

WATCH: NHS torn apart over 'shameful' maternity report as top Tory demands 'culture of openness'

Number of migrants in asylum seeker hotels falls to lowest level in 18 months as Labour Minister tells GB News: 'We are restoring order and control at our border'

The number of asylum seekers being housed temporarily in British hotels has fallen to its lowest level for 18 months as a Labour minister told GB News they are "restoring order and control."

There were 30,657 people staying in such accommodation while they were awaiting a decision on their asylum claims at the end of December.

However, the total number of small boat arrivals was 41,472, a 13 per cent increase from the previous year.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE.

Youth unemployment surges past 950,000 after Rachel Reeves's tax raid, ONS figures reveal

Youth unemployment in Britain surpassed 950,000 towards the end of 2025, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

The number of young people not in employment, education or training, otherwise known as Neets, jumped between October to December 2025.

ONS figures found that there were 957,000 Neets aged 16 to 24 over the period, a slight increase from 946,000 in the previous quarter.

Our Money Reporter Patrick O'Donnell has broken down the stats here.

Asylum seekers in hotels falls to lowest level for 18 months

The number of asylum seekers being housed temporarily in UK hotels has fallen to the lowest level for 18 months, standing at 30,657 at the end of 2025, Home Office figures show.

A Home Office spokesman told GB News: "These statistics show real progress as we restore order and control to our borders.

"We have removed nearly 60,000 illegal migrants, numbers in asylum hotels are down, law enforcement action against people smugglers is at record levels and we are bearing down on the asylum backlog.

"But we must go further. The number of people crossing the Channel is too high, and too many hotels remain in use.

"That is why the Home Secretary is introducing sweeping reforms to tackle the pull factors drawing illegal migrants to Britain, and we are ramping up removals of those with no right to be here."

Lord Speaker to meet Met after he was misidentified as source of Mandelson info

The Speaker of the House of Lords will meet with the Metropolitan Police on Thursday, after he was incorrectly identified as the source of information which led to Lord Peter Mandelson’s arrest.

Lord Forsyth of Drumlean was wrongly said in some media reports to have passed information to the police ahead of the former ambassador to Washington’s arrest on Monday on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

Lord Mandelson, who has been accused of passing sensitive information on to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein during his time as business secretary, has been bailed until May.

Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle on Wednesday revealed he was the source of the information about Lord Mandelson, after media reports suggested the Met had arrested the peer because he could be a flight risk.

His lawyers said this was a "baseless suggestion."

Chagos deal is 'definitely going ahead', says Labour minister

The Government’s Chagos Islands deal is definitely going ahead, a minister has signalled, amid suggestions it could be paused following concerns from the Trump administration.

Foreign Office minister Hamish Falconer told the Commons on Wednesday that the deal had been "paused", although Government officials later said he misspoke.

The £35billion deal, which includes a plan to lease back the UK-US Diego Garcia military base, has been heavily criticised by President Donald Trump.

Communities Minister Alison McGovern went further than suggesting Mr Falconer had misspoke, and insisted the deal was going ahead when speaking to Times Radio this morning.

Asked if the deal was going ahead "100 per cent", she told the broadcaster: "Yes.

"My colleague the Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has been talking to Marco Rubio, her opposite number in the US, about it. Foreign policy is never easy. We will make progress on the Chagos deal."

Labour minister slams Kemi Badenoch's 'paedo defenders party' jibe

A minister has criticised Kemi Badenoch’s decision to describe Labour as a "paedo defenders party" during Prime Minister’s Questions.

The opposition leader’s jibe followed reporting by The Times that female Labour MPs had told Sir Keir earlier this month that voters had "screamed" the phrase at them in the street over the Peter Mandelson scandal.

Communities minister Alison McGovern was asked her opinion on Mrs Badenoch’s use of the phrase.

She told LBC: "I think it’s not good. Yesterday in the House of Commons, when she used that language, I think there were lots of people on all sides of the House of Commons that felt that that’s not good.

"I would say we’ve seen this across all parties, where we need to remember that we as politicians are responsible for the words we say, and that we can debate issues in a very serious, robust and forthright way, without using the language that’s going to be inflammatory and make the whole situation of the challenges we are facing in communities much worse."

Senior Tory calls for 'culture of openness' amid damning NHS maternity report

A senior Conservative has told GB News there needs to be a "culture of openness" in the NHS after a damning report into maternity services.

An interim report published by Baroness Amos as part of her National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation found deep-rooted issues across the NHS and a system that "is not working for women, babies and families, or for staff."

Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge told GB News: "The key issue is about being transparent particularly with parents. It's a very stressful situation.

"I'm a father of four. When you go into maternity wards, it is such a crucial moment in life. It causes a lot of anxiety, especially if there are complications.

"You want parents to have access to all information about what is happening. That's what I'm concerned about.

"My colleagues from the Shadow Health team will be all over this when the report is fully released. There has been a culture in the NHS of not being open enough."

Yvette Cooper to announce new minerals deal with Kazakhstan today

Yvette Cooper is set to announce a new minerals deal with Kazakhstan later today as the West tries to its supply chains away from Beijing.

The Foreign Secretary is hosting her counterparts from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan at Lancaster House in London.

She will confirm the deal with her Kazakh counterpart Yermek Kosherbayev, alongside pacts with the other countries covering carbon capture and higher education.

The Foreign Secretary told Politico: "Central Asia is an important region with huge potential to boost economic growth.

"These agreements deliver for British businesses, strengthen economic security and are a clear demonstration of UK support for the independence of the Central Asian states."

Rachel Reeves now demands Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor repay taxpayer cash he 'misused to spend on massages'

Rachel Reeves has urged Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor to repay taxpayer cash he may have misused while serving as Britain's trade envoy.

The ex-prince has faced allegations of misusing taxpayer money in a number of ways in his role between 2001 and 2011, including on massages, "unreasonable" numbers of hotels, and taxpayer-funded aircraft on RAF bases.

Mr Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested last week on suspicion of misconduct in public office and was released without charge.

Our reporter Peter Stevens has the story here.

Your Party to announce leadership later today

Jeremy Corbyn’s Your Party will announce its first leaders on Thursday following a foundation process fraught with infighting.

The announcement at 11am will see a 24-strong central executive committee (CEC) elected to lead the party in place of the single leader favoured by other parties.

The CEC includes 20 seats for ordinary party members elected on a regional basis, plus another four elected from among Your Party’s "public office holders" such as MPs and councillors.

While most of those elected will be ordinary members, the contest has been seen as a battle between Mr Corbyn and former Labour MP Zarah Sultana for control of the party.

RECAP: How was Andy Burnham blocked from standing?

A month ago, Sir Keir Starmer's allies blocked Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham from standing in Gorton & Denton.

Eight of the Labour National Executive Committee's (NEC's) 10 members — including the Prime Minister himself — voted against Mr Burnham standing in the seat, vacated by outgoing MP Andrew Gwynne.

Just one committee member was in favour, the party's deputy leader Lucy Powell - while the NEC chairman, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, abstained.

In a statement, Labour said: "The NEC believes that causing an unnecessary election for the position of Greater Manchester Mayor would have a substantial and disproportionate impact on party campaign resources ahead of the local elections and elections to the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Senedd in May.

"Although the Party would be confident of retaining the mayoralty, the NEC could not put Labour’s control of Greater Manchester at any risk.

"Andy Burnham is doing a great job as Mayor of Greater Manchester. We believe it is in the best interests of the party to avoid an unnecessary Mayoral election which would use substantial amounts of taxpayers’ money and resources that are better spent tackling the cost of living crisis."

READ THE FULL STORY ON ANDY BURNHAM'S BLOCK HERE

REMINDER: Who is standing in today's Gorton & Denton by-election?

Standing to replace Andrew Gwynne in the Commons for Gorton & Denton are the following candidates:

Sir Oink A-Lot - The Official Monster Raving Loony Party

Nick Buckley - Advance UK

Charlotte Cadden - Conservative Party

Dan Clarke - Libertarian Party

Matt Goodwin - Reform UK

Sebastian Moore - Social Democratic Party

Joseph O'Meachair - Rejoin EU

Jackie Pearcey - Liberal Democrats

Hannah Spencer - Green Party

Angeliki Stogia - Labour Party

Hugo Wils - Communist League Election Campaign