Keir Starmer launches scathing attack condemning Israel after IDF strikes rock Qatar

'Israel has lost all world respect', says Jeremy Corbyn 

Jeremy Corbyn said Israel has "lost all world respect" following strikes targeting Hamas leaders in Qatar.

Addressing Pro-Palestine protesters gathered on Whitehall today ahead of the Israeli president's upcoming meeting with Sir Keir Starmer, the MP for Islington North said: “Unfortunately, it’s British weapons, British planes and British bombs that are providing some as a wherewithal for Israel to commit these war crimes, so we say to the Government over there, you are just completely wrong on this.”

Discussing Israel’s strikes in Qatar, Mr Corbyn added: “They bombed Doha because there were negotiations going on which may well have concluded with a ceasefire almost immediately.

“I also think that Israel’s desperate actions over the last few days, even over the last few hours, their reckless bombardment all over, they know they’ve lost all world support.

“They’ve lost all world respect.”

Chagos deals plan clears first Commons hurdle

A plan to wind up Britain's control over the Chagos Islands has cleared its first Commons hurdle.

Debating the Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill, several Conservative MPs warned that the deal with Mauritius could aid Chinese authorities in achieving their goals in the Indian Ocean.

But defence minister Luke Pollard insisted the draft new law would see off a legal “threat” to the UK-US military base in the archipelago.

MPs voted by 330 to 179, majority 151, to approve the Bill at second reading.

The UK Government signed an agreement in May to cede the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, but will retain control over the Diego Garcia base for at least 99 years, at an average annual cost of £101 million in today’s prices.

If agreed after further scrutiny at a later date, the Bill will put parts of the deal onto the statute book, including “dissolution of the British Indian Ocean Territory”.

Education secretary leads Labour deputy leader race, figures show

Bridget Phillipson leads the deputy leadership race so far, figures released by the Parliamentary Labour Party show.

The Education Secretary has gained 44 of the 99 overall nominations as of 6pm.

Lucy Powell is second with 35 nominations, followed by Bell Ribeiro-Addy with eight, Emily Thornberry with seven and Paula Barker with three.

Alison McGovern comes last with two nominations.

Nominations for the deputy leadership opened today and candidates have until 5pm on Thursday to secure the backing of 80 MPs in order to reach the next round of the contest.

Prime Minister condemns Israel strike on Doha

Sir Keir Starmer has condemned Israel’s strike targeting Hamas leaders in Qatar.

The Prime Minister posted to X: “I condemn Israel’s strikes on Doha, which violate Qatar’s sovereignty and risk further escalation across the region.

“The priority must be an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages, and a huge surge in aid into Gaza.

“This is the only solution towards long-lasting peace.”

Emily Thornberry confirms tax-hiking deputy leadership bid as she launched thinly veiled attack on Keir Starmer 

Labour MP Emily Thornberry has confirmed she will join the race to replace Angela Rayner as deputy leader of the party.

In a statement on social media, Ms Thornberry appeared to take a thinly veiled swipe at Sir Keir Starmer over "mistakes" made since his landslide victory last July.

She said: "I'm running for deputy leader of the Labour Party. We fought hard for a Labour Government.

"But we've made mistakes and must listen. Welfare. Gaza. Wealth tax. Changes to come on SEND. I will be a voice for the membership, unions, PLP, and our constituents - not just nod along."

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Prime Minister's meeting with Israeli president to go ahead this week

Sir Keir Starmer’s meeting with Israeli president Isaac Herzog will go ahead this week, Downing Street has said following Israel’s strike targeting Hamas leaders in Qatar.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “The Prime Minister will be meeting the Israeli president, where he’ll raise the intolerable situation in Gaza, the action Israel must take to end the horrific suffering we’re witnessing.

"It cannot go on any longer.”

Education secretary pledges to 'build a stronger Britain' as she concludes speech

Labour deputy leader candidate Bridget Phillipson has said the Government is working to build “a cycle of hope not hostility” and pledged to "build a stronger Britain".

Speaking at the Trades Union Congress, the cabinet minister added: "It’s why the worst day in government is still better than the best day in opposition.

"It is why no matter how hard the challenges, no matter how tough the choices, what drives me forward every day is the brighter future our children and our country deserve.

"And we get there, Congress, through the politics not of fear and of hatred but of hope and justice.

“So I ask you to continue to work with us, on the good days and the bad, to keep up the fight in our towns, in our cities, in all of our workplaces, to build a country of which we can all be proud.

“Together, we can restore opportunity and hope to working people and build a stronger Britain.”

As she concluded her speech, the education secretary was met with applause, with some people standing out of their seats.

Cabinet minister takes swipe at Reform during speech

Education secretary Bridget Phillipson has taken a swipe at Reform UK as she delivers a speech live at the Trades Union Congress.

She said: "On women's rights, on workers rights on life chances - the choice we face is a simple one.

"Forward with Labour, to shape the 2030s, or dragged back with Reform and Nigel Farage to the 1950s.

"Reform, whose leader told women that maternity leave was lunacy, that maternity pay was excessive, that women coming back from maternity leave and earning was simply a fact of life and that those women were worth far less to their employers.

"For the good of our country we choose to go forward - not back."

Labour deputy leader candidate Bridget Phillipson delivering speech

Bridget Phillipson is delivering a speech at the Trades Union Congress in Brighton.

The Education Secretary has said school "isn't working" for some groups of children in society.

She said: "Like children with special educational needs and disabilities - more likely to be suspended, less likely to do well in English and Maths.

"It is frankly unacceptable and it is a similar story for our working lass children too. Lower attainment, lower life chances, but i refuse to lower my expectations."

Alison McGovern enters race as split risks Keir Starmer facing Labour revolt

Local Government Minister Alison McGovern has entered the race to succeed Angela Rayner as deputy leader of the Labour Party.

In a statement, Ms McGovern said: “After speaking to party members, trade unions, and MPs, I have decided to put my name forward for the deputy leadership of the Labour party.

“Our country faces a huge threat from the dark forces of Right-wing populism. We will only defeat that threat by giving people real hope and pride in our diverse country. And by fighting for those things that unite, not divide, us all. The right to a home, a job, and to feel part of this country.

“I believe I can shape our story, communicating our values in a way that resonates across the Labour family and with the public. Over the past 15 years, I have worked hand in hand with Labour and trade union members, campaigning for good jobs and against child poverty and the need for food banks.

“Four generations of my family from Merseyside have worked on the railway and never thought that one of us could be a Member of Parliament. It was the Labour movement that did that, which is why I am proud to live in the community that raised me, also knowing that too many people are still left out of chances and choices in life. That has to change. I have fought tough battles before and I’ll do so again because these opportunities are a prize worth winning.”

Fifth Labour MP enters deputy leader race as hard-left rally behind pro-reparations candidate

A Labour welfare rebel has become the fifth MP to enter the deputy leadership race.

Paula Barker, who was elected to represent Liverpool Wavertree in 2019, previously served under Sir Keir Starmer as a Shadow Devolution Minister.

Announcing her bid, the former trade union shop steward told the BBC: “We are working on numbers now, our numbers are looking healthy.

“I have been really humbled by the amount of colleagues who are contacting me and showing me their support and I will be working with them going forward.”

Israeli President to visit UK tomorrow

Isaac Herzog will meet officials in the UK tomorrow afternoon, according to the Number 10 spokesman.

The Israeli President is also due to meet members of parliament, and Jewish community leaders during his visit.

It comes as tensions between the UK and Israeli continue with a number of Israeli ministers subject to sanctions.

The Foreign Office under David Lammy had also issued criticisms of Israeli's military strategy in Gaza.

Labour responds to 'delusional' Tory leader

Labour has responded to Kemi Badenoch after she offered to help the party on welfare with a spokesman saying it was "delusional of (her) to think anyone would want to take economic advice from her Conservative Party".

"Their economy-crashing, growth-killing, irresponsible approach to governing left mortgages spiralling and working people worse off," the spokesman said.

“The only thing in Britain that needs a bailout is the Conservative Party from its leadership. The Tories haven’t listened, they haven’t learned, and they can’t be trusted.

“Labour is clear that people who can work should work. This Labour Government is getting people back into the workplace and out of the doom loop of joblessness that spiralled out of control under the Conservatives. That’s the only way we’ll create a fairer future where everyone has the chance to get on in life and succeed.”

Kemi Badenoch offers Labour 'serious offer' on welfare

After Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Helen Whately told GB News that the Tories would sit down with Labour to work on welfare, Kemi Badenoch said "we will help" Sir Keir Starmer.

"There are some people in Government who must know things need to change," the Tory leader said.

"I can picture their faces looking at the latest Office for Budget Responsibility figures.

"But the truth is they came into Government with no real plans of how to save money - only how to spend it."

Ms Badenoch added that is "why we are in trouble".

"That is why today I am making the Prime Minister a serious offer," she said.

"If he is serious about cutting spending and really bringing down the welfare bill - we will help him."

Ex-Commons leader joins race for Labour deputy leader just days after Cabinet sacking

Conservatives would prioritise encouraging Britons 'to take risks'

Kemi Badenoch said she would "prioritise those elements that encourage people to take risks".

The Tory leader was asked what she would prioritise if she was setting the next budget, adding that the UK has turned into a country "afraid to take risks".

"We've created a zero risk environment," she declared.

"Without risk there is no reward so we need to stop punishing people for taking risks and we need to stop assuming that growth will just be there as long as the Government is setting rules."

Kemi Badenoch declares 'everything' Labour is doing makes life more expensive for Britons

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has declared that "everything this Government is doing is making life more expensive for all of us".

The leader of the Opposition said that the essential ingredients for growth were about "backing business, not taxing business, better limited regulation, controlled lower taxation, cheaper abundant energy".

Mrs Badenoch added that in Labour's term in Government, taxes and bills had "gone up by £1,700 for some families".

'Unemployment has risen every month bar one under Labour', Kemi Badenoch claims

Kemi Badenoch has delivered a sweeping rebuke of Labour's time in power, saying "unemployment has risen every month bar one since Labour won the election".

"These numbers aren't just statistics, each one is a career terminated, a service never rendered, a family with plans ruined, a household in hardship," the Leader of the Opposition added.

Mrs Badenoch said that the taxes brought in by the Labour Government led to necessary jobs not being created.

Britain doesn't know 'how bad this mess is' just yet, Tories warn

Kemi Badenoch has warned that Britons do not know how bad Labour is doing in power in a scathing assessment of Rachel Reeves and Sir Keir Starmer.

Speaking in Central London, the Saffron Walden MP said: "I don’t think people have realised yet just how bad this mess is."

"Our children will some day have to pay back the debt that Rachel Reeves is now taking on," Mrs Badenoch added.

"They will grow up in an uncertain world, they will enter a job market fundamentally changed by AI."

Kemi Badenoch claims Rachel Reeves has 'lost control of spending completely'

Kemi Badenoch has declared that the Chancellor 'has caused the most grief to this country'.

She added that she was "still in post" and over the next five years she will double the deficit.

Mrs Badenoch added: "Better limited regulation controls, lower taxation, cheaper abundant energy. These are the essential ingredients for growth.

"Everything that this government is doing is making life more expensive for all of us. After just one year of Labour in office, taxes and bills have gone up by £1,700 for some families."

Extending an olive branch to Sir Keir Starmer, the Leader of the Opposition said: "If he is serious about cutting spending and really bringing down the welfare bill - we will help him,

"The last time he tried this in July the Prime Minister was humiliated by his own back benches. He had to gut a bill just 90 minutes before MPs were due to vote on it.

"And he created a £5billion hole in the Chancellor's funds."

Kemi Badenoch warns Sir Keir Starmer and Labour 'found governing harder than they thought'

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has warned that Sir Keir Starmer's Labour "found governing harder than they thought" as she unveiled her plans to cut Britain's ballooning welfare budget.

The Tory leader said: “The markets are starting to worry but rather than focus on the serious economic challenges facing our country, Labour are too busy blaming the last government for problems of their own making.

“They are finding governing harder than they thought. I could have told them that. Just last week, Keir Starmer launched phase two, phase two didn’t even last three days.

“The Deputy Prime Minister is gone after trying to avoid the very same taxes that the Chancellor is trying to put up.

"So they’ve just had a huge reshuffle, it’s a huge reshuffle, but it is borne not of strength but a political crisis.

"And the person who has caused the most grief to our country, the Chancellor, is still in post.”

BBC made 'mistake' over Gaza documentary, director-general admits

BBC director-general Tim Davie has admitted that the BBC made a "mistake" over its recent Gaza documentary controversy.

Mr Davie made the admission while facing a grilling from MPs at the Culture, Media & Sport Select Committee.

BBC Chair Samir Shah echoed the sentiment, with Mr Davie later saying Israel "not allowing" journalists into Gaza was absurd.

"We need access," Mr Davie added.

High-risk acts will now be on 'delay', Tim Davie says

Tim Davie told MPs that acts considered "high-risk" will be on delay.

He added that Kneecap were deemed too much of a risk that they were put on BBC on demand.

Tim Davie admits 'BBC made a very significant mistake' broadcasting Bob Vylan

Asked about if he was shocked about the chants of 'death to the IDF" being broadcast at Glastonbury, the BBC Director-General said when he first heard it, he "knew that it was an anti-Semitic broadcast".

"To your point, I do think it was deeply disturbing ... personally I've talked to many people about this,' he said.

He said the "BBC made a very significant mistake in broadcasting" the duo.

"The fact that those words were broadcasted ... it was disturbing," Mr Davie added.

BBC Director-General believes BBC doesn't have 'toxic culture'

Tim Davie told MPs that he believes the BBC does not have "a toxic culture" in wake of a number of recent scandals.

The BBC Director-General added that the BBC was "taking the right actions" to deal with the issues which surfaced over the past 12 months.

BBC chief warns staff no one is 'irreplaceable' at Broadcasting House 

BBC director-general Tim Davie is facing a grilling from MPs over a number of scandals hitting Broadcasting House.

He told MPs that BBC staff were "all dispensable", adding: "(It's the) absolute unequivocal position that we've given (at) the BBC."

Emily Thornberry will contest Labour deputy leadership

Commons Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Emily Thornberry will stand to be deputy leader of the Labour Party.

The move comes after Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson also put her name forward.

Ms Thornberry made the announcement in a short social media post where she said: "We fought hard for a Labour Government".

"But we've made mistakes and mist listen," she said.

"Welfare. Gaza. Wealth tax. Changes to come on SEND.

"I will be a voice for the membership, unions, PLP, and our constituents - not just nod along."

Candidates for Labour Party's deputy leader to be released at 7pm today

An updated list of candidates in the running for the next deputy leader of the Labour Party will be released at 7pm today.

It is understood the list will be put out on the party's website after nominations were opened this morning.

Labour MPs will have until 5pm to submit their applications.

After internal voting, successful candidates will be put to a vote for all party members and affiliated party supporters.

That voting will take place between October 8 and midday on October 23 before the deputy leader will be announced on October 25.

Sir Keir Starmer's personal approval rating hits record low

New polling has indicated that the Prime Minister's personal approval rating has hit a record low at -44.

The More in Common poll has indicated that Reform UK Leader Nigel Farage sits at only -4, while Ed Davey trails closely behind at -8.

Tory Leader Kemi Badenoch sits ahead of Sir Keir at -26.

Angela Rayner could be headed to the Jungle? 

Former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, who stepped down from her position in the Labour Government after admitting she did not pay £40,000 in stamp duty, is attracting major attention with a new season of I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! in the works.

Betting markets are buzzing with speculation that she could be headed to the jungle with her odds at 10/11 after stepping down.

Study finds Reform UK becomes 'magnet' for Britons who feel powerless

Only 26 per cent of Britons believe most public services are ready to listen to their complaints, nearly halving from 49 per cent in 2002, according to new research.

The study by the Policy Institute at King’s College London, Ipsos UK and the LSE, found that while large majorities of people had long felt powerless in the UK to influence decisions both nationally and locally, Reform UK had become a "magnet for the disaffected".

It also found that its supporters consistently saw themselves as powerless.

Two-thirds, about 65 per cent, of Reform UK supporters disagree their complaints will be listened to by most public services – the only party where a large majority feel this way.

The pattern extended to broader political influence with 72 per cent of Reform UK supporters saying people like them are powerless to change things in the country.

Helen Whately slams 'weak' Prime Minister after Ed Miliband survives Cabinet reshuffle

The Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions declared that the "high cost of energy" was damaging British industry before criticising Sir Keir Starmer for keeping Ed Miliband in his position.

"One sign of how weak the Prime Minister is, is that Ed Miliband survived his reshuffle," she said.

"He's the one who is busy putting up the costs of energy and stopping us making use of our oil and gas in the north sea."

Ms Whately added that it was "another example of Keir Starmer" being "too weak to do the things" the UK needs.

Tories offer to sit down with Labour to work on welfare

Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Helen Whately has told GB News the Tories are offering to "sit down with Rachel Reeves and Keir Starmer and make a plan on how they can make savings from welfare".

"Now the Government tried to make savings from welfare just before the recess in the summer but they couldn't get it past their backbenchers," she said.

"Keir Starmer's been doing this reset, he's got this new Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, but he's still got the same backbenchers who don't back savings on welfare."

Ms Whately said that was why the Tories had offered Labour to help with the situation.

Bridget Phillipson standing to be Labour Party's deputy leader

The Education Secretary has become the first cabinet minister to put her name forward for the Deputy Leader of the Labour Party.

Bridget Phillipson is now only the second candidate to come forward and state they will run for the position.

In a statement, Ms Phillipson said she was a "proud working-class woman from the north-east".

"I've come from a single parent family on a tough council street, all the way to the cabinet, determined to deliver better life chances for young people growing up in our country," she said.

The Education Secretary added that she had taken on "powerful vested interests in the education sector ... even as they threw everything at me".

"I have never taken a backwards step," she continued.

"I will bring that same determination to every battle ahead of us."

Ms Phillipson said that "make no mistake: we are in a fight. We all know the dangers Reform poses our country".

"But not only am I ready for it: I've proven we can do it," she added.

"I've shown we can beat Farage in the north-east, while staying true to the Labour Party's values of equality, fairness and social justice."

REVEALED: Keir Starmer brands Nigel Farage a 'plastic patriot' at mass Labour MP meeting amid leadership reset turmoil

Sir Keir Starmer has slammed Nigel Farage as a "plastic patriot" at a mass meeting of Labour MPs.

The Prime Minster took aim at the Reform UK leader, accusing him of trying to whip up sanctions to be imposed on the UK on a visit last week to the US to highlight freedom of speech concerns.

Mr Starmer told MPs that Farage had "called for sanctions to be imposed on the UK" because of concerns over freedom of speech.

He added: "Reform are plastic patriots."

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

RECAP: Labour's NEC confirms deputy leadership election timetable

September 9 - Parliamentary Labour Party nominations open

September 10 - Parliamentary Labour Party hustings

September 11 - Parliamentary Labour Party nominations close

September 12 - Deadline for validly nominated candidates to consent to nomination and submit statements for circulation to Constituency Labour Party branches and affiliates

September 13 - Constituency Labour Party and affiliate nominations open

September 27 - Close of Constituency Labour Party and affiliate nominations

October 8 - Ballot opens

October 23 - Ballot closes

October 25 - Result announced

Ex-Transport Secretary rules herself out of deputy leadership bid

READ IN FULL: Labour rebel lays down gauntlet to Keir Starmer in deputy leadership bid

Bell Ribeiro-Addy last night became the first Labour MP to publicly declare their intention to enter the race to replace Angela Rayner as the party's deputy leader.

She said: "I am putting myself forward to stand as Deputy Leader of the Labour Party.

"I look forward to explaining why, over the three short and undemocratic days we have to do so."

Ms Ribeiro-Addy also swiped at the Labour leadership over its decision to accelerate to process for selecting Ms Rayner's successor.

"There is a clear attempt underway to rush the deputy leadership contest," she added.

"After the missteps of the past year, we need a proper debate about the future direction of our party; not a coronation.

"It must be a full and fair contest with a genuine Left candidate on the ballot paper."

'She's hard as nails!' Wes Streeting hails Shabana Mahmood's 'determination' to fix Channel crossing crisis

Health Secretary Wes Streeting has hailed Shabana Mahmood's "determination" to solve the Channel crossing crisis as the new Home Secretary hinted at limiting visas for nationals from countries that refuse to take back deportees.

Speaking to GB News, Mr Streeting said: "I think it reflects the Home Secretary's determination to grip this problem and to secure our borders."

He added: "Shabana Mahmood is hard as nails and whether it is tackling disorder and lawlessness on our streets or tackling the insecurity of our borders, you can expect a tough and effective approach from this Home Secretary."