MPs demand no confidence vote in Keir Starmer as Labour backbenchers break ranks

Donald Trump says Keir Starmer's Chagos deal is 'the best he could make'

Donald Trump has suggested Sir Keir Starmer’s Chagos Islands deal was the "best he could make" in an apparent signal of support after attacking the agreement last month.

The US President, who weeks ago branded the deal an "act of GREAT STUPIDITY", said he had "very productive discussions" with the Prime Minister about Diego Garcia, where a UK-US military base is located.

Under the deal, which will cost £35billion over the next century, the UK will cede sovereignty of the British Indian Ocean Territory to Mauritius but lease back the facility on the island.

In a post on Truth Social, Mr Trump said: "I understand that the deal Prime Minister Starmer has made, according to many, [is] the best he could make."

Labour MPs slam party's stance on Gaza - 'Palestinians continue to be failed by our Government'

Labour MPs have publicly criticised the Government over its stance on Gaza, increasing pressure on Prime Minister Keir Starmer during a difficult week for his leadership.

Backbenchers Steve Witherden and Andy McDonald accused the Government of failing to meet its legal duty under the Genocide Convention, urging a full suspension of arms exports to Israel.

Mr Witherden, the MP for for Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr also warned against reviving UK-Israel trade talks or relaxing arms controls, claiming this would undermine international law.

He said: "Palestinians continue to be failed by our Government. The Government mustn’t renege on its arms export control criteria now Gaza is away from the front pages."

SNP MP Brendan O’Hara added: "In my opinion, no reasonable person could deny that what we have witnessed in Gaza in the past two-and-a-half years constitutes a genocide.

"It is surely beyond any dispute that the minimum requirement for the UK to act to prevent and punish the crime of genocide has been met."

In response, Foreign Office minister Hamish Falconer defended the Government’s position, saying the UK has conducted a rigorous legal assessment and does not judge Israel’s actions in Gaza to constitute genocide.

Keir Starmer pulls Chagos 'surrender' vote as Donald Trump delivers verdict on PM's deal

Sir Keir Starmer's flagship Diego Garcia Chagos Bill has been pulled from the parliamentary calendar as pressure mounts on the Prime Minister to U-turn on his handover deal with Mauritius.

Lord Kempsell, an outspoken critic of Labour's £35billion "surrender deal", confirmed the bill would not return to the House of Commons before MPs leave Westminster for recess on February 12.

Tory peer Lord Hannan confirmed that the vote can take place on February 23 at the earliest.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE.

DUP MP issues warning against Irish President - 'You're in our country'

A DUP MP told the Irish President Catherine Connolly "you’re in our country" as he warned her against "rewriting the past" on her visit to Northern Ireland.

In a short interaction between the pair after Ms Connolly addressed the Guildhall, she said she was "here to listen", adding "at the end of the day we’re human beings and we have to have respect."

Referring to his attendance on at a debate in Dublin, Gregory Campbell, the MP for East Londonderry told the Irish President: "You’re in our country. Tonight I’m going to your country."

He added: "We’re not leaving the United Kingdom, not now or at anytime in the future, so I think it’s better if we try and ensure no-one rewrites the past as we all build for the future."

Reacting to the exchange on the social media, SDLP MP for Foyle Colum Eastwood told Mr Campbell to "grow up."

Plaid Cymru says Reform is just 'recycled washed out Tories'

The leader of Plaid Cymru has claimed Reform UK is "simply recycled, washed-out Tories looking for a new political home" as he took aim at Nigel Farage's party in Wales.

Rhun ap Iorwerth said: "It doesn't matter who Farage has selected to represent him.

"The so-called leader's sole responsibility will be to get Nigel Farage into Number 10 Downing Street, because for Reform, Wales is nothing but a stepping stone."

Meanwhile, a Welsh Labour spokesman said: "It doesn't matter who is named as Reform's leader in Wales. They will just be Nigel Farage's puppet, doing his bidding from Westminster and silencing the voices of the people of Wales."

Labour MP tells GB News Keir Starmer is 'finished' as pressure mounts on PM over Lord Mandelson scandal

A veteran Labour MP has admitted that Sir Keir Starmer is "finished" following shock revelations about his decision to appoint Lord Mandelson as the UK's Ambassador to the US.

Graham Stringer, who was first elected as the MP for Blackley & Middleton South in 1997, gave a blunt one-word answer when discussing the Prime Minister's future on GB News.

GB News host Martin Daubney asked: "Graham Stringer, final question, I'd appreciate a one-word answer, if I could. Is Keir Starmer finished?"

Mr Stringer, who is Labour's last pro-Brexit MP in the House of Commons, replied: "Yes."

Labour MP says Keir Starmer's position becomes 'untenable' unless he sacks Chief of Staff

A Labour MP has warned Sir Keir Starmer's position as Prime Minister will become "untenable" if he does not sack his Chief of Staff Morgan McSweeney.

Hull East MP Karl Turner told the BBC: "I don’t want the PM to go. What I want is the PM to make changes.

"I’m afraid if the Prime Minister doesn’t want to see the parliamentary party calm down and get completely behind him, then he keeps Morgan McSweeney.

"My concern is that he’ll keep Morgan McSweeney, and PLP will kick off again and again and again to the point where it’s untenable for the PM."

Chris Hope provides insight on Keir Starmer's 'biggest crisis' since he became Prime Minister

GB News Political Editor Christopher Hope has had his say on what the mood in the room as Sir Keir Starmer offered an apology to the victims of Jeffery Epstein.

Writing for Friends of GB News, Chris paints the scene as "tense" as the Prime Minister launched his "Pride in Place" scheme.

READ CHOPPER'S FULL ANALYSIS HERE.

Nigel Farage blasts Keir Starmer's apology over Lord Mandelson scandal as 'weak'

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage described the Prime Minister’s apology to the victims of notorious pedophile Jeffery Epstein as "weak."

Mr Farage said: "Very weak apology, and not quite believable.

"I mean, all the evidence that we’ve seen over the course of the last 24 hours, indicates he was briefed, he knew that not only had Peter Mandelson maintained a relationship with Jeffrey Epstein after his prison sentence for under age prostitution, he knew that actually he’d stayed with him.

"So there was a lot of stuff that was known about the depth of that relationship.

"The Prime Minister trying to pretend all the way through he doesn’t really know Peter Mandelson, he didn’t really understand what relationship was. So it’s a very weak, late apology, not believable and not helping his position one little bit."

WATCH: Kemi Badenoch says PM is 'playing the victim' over Lord Mandelson scandal as she labels him 'self-righteous'

Keir Starmer should say 'put up or shut up', says Ed Davey as he calls for no confidence vote 

Sir Keir Starmer should face a no confidence vote, Sir Ed Davey has said in response to the controversy surrounding Lord Peter Mandelson.

The Liberal Democrats leader said: “The British people can’t afford for this Labour soap opera to drag on for months or even years, like the Conservative Party did with Boris Johnson.

"We need a government totally focused on ending the cost-of-living crisis, fixing the NHS and care, and getting our economy growing again.

“Keir Starmer should say ‘put up or shut up’. Let’s have a confidence vote now to see whether Labour MPs have any confidence in the Prime Minister, so the Government can get past this one way or the other and start focusing on the change our country needs.”

Kemi Badenoch calls on Labour MPs to force vote of no confidence in Keir Starmer 

Kemi Badenoch has called on Labour MPs to force a vote of no confidence in Keir Starmer.

The Tory party leader told a press conference in Westminster: "It is now up to Labour MPs to do the right thing.

"I know there are many of them who are horrified by what has happened. We saw that in the House of Commons just yesterday.

"They might now expect the Prime Minister to take responsibility, but we know he won't.

"He will have to be dragged out of No10. So, I am making them an offer: if they want the change they know the country needs, come and talk to my whips and lets talk seriously about a vote of no confidence to force the moment."

Keir Starmer 'makes the wrong decision again and again', says Kemi Badenoch 

Kemi Badenoch has said Sir Keir Starmer makes the "wrong decision again and again".

The Conservative party leader said: "At a time when Britain needs a leader, we have a Prime Minister who makes the wrong decision again and again.

"For months, I have been pressing the Prime Minister about his decision to appoint Peter Mandelson as ambassador and yesterday in Parliament, I finally forced him to admit the shocking truth."

"Instead of standing up and taking full responsibility for this disastrous appointment, the Prime Minister is trying to make himself out to be the victim," Mrs Badenoch added.

"Nobody is buying it. This morning, cabinet ministers are out there defending the decision to appoint Peter Mandelson, still claiming it was a rational appointment. They should be ashamed."

Kemi Badenoch declares 'Britain is not being governed' in swipe at Keir Starmer 

Kemi Badenoch has declared Britain is "not being governed".

Delivering a speech in Westminster, the Conservative party leader said: "Britain is not being governed.

"Last night in Downing Street, what were Keir Starmer and his team doing? They were not thinking about the future of Nato, they were not up late talking about sorting out the cost of living, they were not planning how to re-industrialise Britain with cheaper energy, they were yet again desperately ringing around labour MPs trying to save his job."

'I regret appointing Lord Mandelson as ambassador to the US' - Keir Starmer

Sir Keir Starmer has said he "regrets" appointing Lord Mandelson as Britain's ambassador to the US.

The Prime Minister told reporters in East Sussex: "I regret the decision to appointment Mandelson as ambassador.

"He was asked questions about the nature and extent of his relationship with Epstein and he has told lies.

"I had no reason at the time to know they were lies, subsequently I found out them to be lies.

"This week we found out way beyond the lies we found out in September."

Lord Mandelson's 'deceit is incompatible with public service', says PM

Sir Keir Starmer has said Lord Peter Mandelson’s “deceit is incompatible with public service”.

Delivering a speech in East Sussex, the PM said: "He portrayed Epstein as someone he barely knew, and when that became clear and it was not true, I sacked him.

“Such deceit is incompatible with public service.

“Let me be clear, no one is above accountability, and no one, however well connected, however experienced, however senior, should hold public office if they cannot meet the basic test of honesty.”

Keir Starmer says Lord Mandelson was asked directly about his ties to Jeffrey Epstein but 'answers he gave were lies' 

Sir Keir Starmer said Lord Mandelson was asked directly about the nature of his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein and it is “clear that the answers he gave were lies”.

The Prime Minister added that he wanted to release documents relating to Lord Mandelson’s appointment as ambassador to Washington DC yesterday, but the police had “advised that releasing certain information now could risk prejudicing a future investigation or legal process”.

Sir Keir Starmer has insisted information about the 'depth and darkness' of Mandelson's ties to Epstein was 'not known' on his appointment 

Sir Keir Starmer is delivering a speech in East Sussex this morning.

Taking to the stage, the PM said he wanted to begin "by addressing some of the issues around the Mandelson case".

He said: "In recent days, serious allegations and serious evidence has emerged concerning Mandelson's conduct including his relationship with Epstein, a convicted sex offender.

"It had been publicly known for some time that Mandelson knew Epstein, but none of us knew the depth and the darkness of that relationship.

"What has come to light has raised serious questions, information that was not known at the time of his appointment. Before he was appointed ambassador."

New Welsh Reform leader says opportunities for people in Wales are 'few and far between'

Reform's new Welsh leader has said opportunities for people in Wales are "few and far between".

Dan Thomas told a party event in Newport: "I was born and raised in the Welsh Valleys, where my family lived for generations. My granddad was a miner, as was his dad before him.”

Mr Thomas said he had “fond memories” of growing up in Wales and did not want to leave when he turned 18.

“But for many Welshmen and women, good opportunities in Wales are few and far between,” he said.

“The well paying jobs and the high flying career paths are simply not there. So I left to build a successful career in financial services in London while serving my new community as a councillor and council leader.

“After 27 years, I’m back home raising two young boys in the Valleys so they can enjoy the same beautiful Welsh countryside that I played in as a child. I’ve come back to where I belong.”

Nigel Farage reveals Reform UK's new Welsh leader 

Nigel Farage has unveiled Welsh-born former London council leader Dan Thomas as Reform UK's new Welsh leader.

The Clacton MP has announced his party's new leader in Wales ahead of the Senedd elections in May.

Mr Thomas, who grew up in Wales, was the Conservative leader of Barnet Council from 2019 to 2022 and joined Reform UK last year.

In December he quit as a councillor for Finchley Church End after returning to Wales with his family.

Nigel Farage announces former Tory politician James Evans as latest defector 

Nigel Farage has announced Reform UK's latest defector as former Tory politician James Evans ahead of the Senedd elections in May.

Mr Evans said Britain is "broken and Wales is broken too" as he took to the stage at the Reform press conference in Wales.

He said: "Britain is broken and Wales is broken also. Not under pressure, not challenged, it is fundamentally broken.

"And the real failure in Welsh politics is not just the bad outcomes for its people, it is the refusal by the people in power to admit what everybody else can see.

"I did admit it, I challenged it openly and I challenged it inside the Seneed and the Conservative party. I said that Wales was broken, I said that Britain was broken and for that honesty and for the people of Wales, I was kicked out."

Nigel Farage says Lord Mandelson scandal is 'biggest in British politics in a century' 

Nigel Farage has said the Lord Mandelson scandal is the "biggest in British politics in over one century".

The Reform UK is holding a press conference today to announce his party's new Welsh leader.

He told the crowd: "Yesterday the Prime Minister admitted because he had to that despite the fact he had known that Mandelson had continued his relationship with Jeffreey Epstein even after he had been sent to prison...he still appointed Mandelson to be our ambassador in Washington.

"But don't think this scandal is just another political scandal...this involves sex, it involves money, it involves the Royal Family, it involves the leaking of market sensitive, confidential information."

"This is the biggest scandal in British politics in over one century," he added.

"I predict that Morgan McSweeney, the chief advisor, will be gone pretty quickly. I don't know how long Keir Starmer will remain as Prime Minister."

Nigel Farage takes swipe at Keir Starmer as he opens Reform UK press conference in Wales 

Nigel Farage has kicked off a Reform UK press conference in Wales.

The party leader took a swipe at the Prime Minister as he opened the event.

He told the audience: "That is an amazing reception and I would wager it is better than the reception Keir Starmer is going to get the next time he speaks anywhere frankly."

WATCH: Steve Reed admits vetting process must be improved following Lord Mandelson scandal: 'There can be no repeat of this'

Cabinet minister blames vetting process for failing to flag up Lord Madelson's links with Jeffrey Epstein

Steve Reed blamed the vetting process for failing to flag up the extent of Lord Peter Mandelson’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein before his appointment to the US ambassadorship.

The Cabinet minister told the BBC: “The fault is with a long-established process that was gone through in the same way that it would have been for any other appointment of this kind, and it predates the arrival of this Government.

“Clearly, we need to look at that vetting process.

“But decisions can only be taken on the basis of the information available at the time, and Mandelson lied and covered up the extent of his relationship."

WATCH: Shadow minister says Keir Starmer's authority was 'draining away' during PMQ's

Cabinet minister insists Keir Starmer is safe in his job 

The Prime Minister and his chief of staff Morgan McSweeney are safe in their jobs, Steve Reed has insisted.

Asked whether Sir Keir Starmer’s position is secure, the Housing Secretary told BBC Breakfast: “Of course it is.”

On Sky News, he was pressed on whether Mr McSweeney is safe in his role, after being blamed by many Labour MPs for pushing for the appointment of his ally Lord Peter Mandelson as UK ambassador to the US in 2024.

Mr Reed answered: “Yes, of course he is.”

Asylum seekers banned from using taxis to attend medical appointments after taxpayers hit with £15million bill

A ban on asylum seekers using taxis to travel to GP appointments has come into force after taxpayers were hit with a £15million bill.

In one case, an asylum seeker was found to have charged the Home Office £600 for a 250-mile trip for a medical.

Shabana Mahmood launched an urgent review after the findings emerged. And today, the ban on the taxpayer-funded taxis comes into effect.

"I have ended the wasteful use of taxis for medical appointments to protect the taxpayer's purse," the Home Secretary told the BBC.

"I will stop at nothing to remove the incentives that draw illegal migrants to Britain to restore order and control to our borders."

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Lord Mandelson 'conned everybody', says cabinet minister

Lord Peter Mandelson “conned everybody,” Cabinet minister Steve Reed has insisted as he sought to stress the Prime Minister and his chief of staff Morgan McSweeney were not “at fault”.

The Housing Secretary told Sky News: “The person at fault here is not the Prime Minister or his team.

“It is Peter Mandelson who lied, manipulated and deceived everybody, including the media, actually, because he was on the media an awful lot as well. He conned everybody.

“What matters is what you do when you find out what’s gone wrong. And the Prime Minister couldn’t have been more decisive. He sacked Peter Manson at 5am in the morning as US ambassador months ago.”

Mr Reed said he felt like he had “been punched in the stomach” when he found out about Lord Mandelson’s dealings with convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein from the documents released by US authorities.

Labour announces 'world-first' deepfake detection plan

Labour has announced plans to work with tech giants including Microsoft on a “world-first” deepfake detection initiative.

The Home Office said the framework would explore how technology can recognise and assess deepfakes and “set clear expectations” for industry detection standards.

Collaboration between the Government, technology firms, academics and experts will underpin the development of the plan.

Minister for safeguarding, Jess Phillips, said: "For the first time, this framework will take the injustice faced by millions to seek out the tactics of vile criminals, and close loopholes to stop them in their tracks so they have nowhere to hide.

“Ultimately, it is time to hold the technology industry to account, and protect our public, who should not be living in fear.”

It comes days after Britain's data regulator opened a formal probe into X and xAI over their compliance with UK law after the chatbot Grok was used to generate sexual deepfake images without consent.

Who is Morgan McSweeney?

Morgan McSweeney - described as the Prime Minister's "most-trusted aide" - has served as Downing Street Chief of Staff since October 2024.

Starting off as a local organiser within the party, he formed the Labour Together group during Jeremy Corbyn's tenure, which sought to bring the party back to the centre ground.

Mr McSweeney was instrumental in Sir Keir Starmer's successful bid for the Labour leadership in 2020 and his campaign in the 2024 general election.

The No10 strategist is said to have forged a close relationship with Lord Mandelson and played a key role in advocating for his appointment as US ambassador.

He came under pressure to resign last year following allegations that he hid more than £700,000 in donations to a Labour think tank for three years despite being told he was required to declare them.

Downing Street plunged into 'crisis talks' as PM's right-hand man warned he 'may not survive'

Downing Street was said to have been in "bunker mode" late last night after a day of scandal and chaos over Lord Mandelson.

No10 staff, according to political blog Guido Fawkes, were privately meeting with Sir Keir Starmer for crisis talks.

A source warned the outlet it was "not at all clear" that chief of staff Morgan McSweeney would "survive" the coming hours and days, while the mood in the building was "quietly bleak".

What is Keir Starmer set to say in his speech?

The Prime Minister is expected to say this morning: "I love this country. It is the greatest country in the world.

"The progress and prosperity I have seen throughout my life, and the personal journey I have been on - from a working-class background to this - I owe everything to this country and its values.

"I have spent most of my professional life serving them. Because I believe in them. I believe in our values. I believe in rules that protect those in need.

"I believe in the freedom to live and let live, in decency and tolerance, and in respect for difference under the same flag and a common good"

Then, turning to Reform UK's "division", he is set to say: "We are bound by values, by common endeavour, and by the responsibilities we owe to one another as partners in the project of this great nation.

"I believe in our way of doing things. In a world that increasingly preys on weakness, I believe Britain is stronger as a tolerant, decent and respectful country.

The PM is set to add that Britain has been "undermined" by those who seek to sow division.

"Britain has been undermined by political neglect and the scorched earth of Tory austerity. In towns across Britain, it is the same story - high streets, youth clubs, the places that shape a life and bring different people together, that create bonds of memory and pride - they were abandoned.

"Because politics in this dangerous era is no longer about left and right, but a contest between renewal and grievance. Between those who accept the idea that society is a zero-sum competition and those who believe we can unite for a higher purpose.

"This Government chooses the path of unity, because that is the only way we can change Britain - the only way we take control of our future, stand up to the world, and walk forward together."

RECAP: 'Time for a fresh start!' Labour MPs call for PM's head over Mandelson scandal

Labour MPs have admitted Sir Keir Starmer's days in Downing Street are numbered as backbenchers turn against the Prime Minister.

Earlier today, the PM backed down from his original plans for top civil servant Sir Chris Wormald to decide which documents relating to the appointment of Peter Mandelson as US Ambassador could be released.

Under pressure from Labour MPs, led by ex-Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, Sir Keir accepted the decision could be made by Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee instead.

However, MPs have said the eventual release of the documents, which could be delayed by a police investigation into Mandelson, could launch someone in the party to begin a leadership challenge.

One MP told The Guardian: "Trust is finite. I’m personally not sure I could trust myself to back the prime minister in a confidence vote."

A former Labour minister added: "We’ve had a lot of bad days recently, but this is the worst yet, I think."

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

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