Shabana Mahmood threatens ‘sham’ lawyers with jail time for helping migrants pose as gay to get asylum

MPs reject again default ban on social media for under-16s 

MPs have again rejected a default ban on children accessing social media, voting 256 to 150 in favour of the Government's more flexible approach.

Under the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill, ministers would gain powers to introduce curfews, scrolling limits, location-sharing restrictions, and platform-specific bans for under-16s - rather than an automatic blanket ban.

The Lords had twice pushed for a default ban, proposed by Conservative peer Lord Nash, but MPs have held firm.

Education Minister Olivia Bailey defended the approach, arguing the Government's ongoing consultation allows action across a wider range of platforms and features.

Shadow Education Secretary Laura Trott has vowed to keep pushing for a statutory ban.

WATCH: Robert Jenrick hits out at 'appalling' prison release figures and 'pathetic' David Lammy

Robert Jenrick has launched a blistering attack on David Lammy, following the release of a damning new report into accidental prison releases.

Speaking to GB News, Reform UK's Treasury spokesman branded the Deputy Prime Minister "pathetic", expressing his fury at the "appalling" statistics published today.

Dame Lynne Owens set out 33 recommendations in her 200-page report, which revealed that 179 prisoners were released from prison in error in the space of the last year.

Responding to the report, Mr Lammy said he "accepts all recommendations" and vows to move to a "digital system" to bring mistakes down to "almost zero".

READ THE FULL STORY HERE.

Labour set to lose control of Wales as Keir Starmer braces for historic blowout

Labour are set to lose control of Wales as Sir Keir Starmer braces for a historic blowout in the upcoming Senedd elections in May.

This would be the first time the party would be out of power since the Welsh Parliament's formation in 1999.

Plaid Cymru is projected to be the most successful party in Wales after May 7, with Labour dropping down two places to third and Reform UK sitting second.

It is anticipated Plaid will win 33 of the 96 seats in the Senedd, followed by Reform UK with 29 and Labour holding on to 17, a poll published by The Telegraph shows.

READ FULL STORY HERE.

Government warns business leaders to develop IT protections in face of advancing AI capabilities 

The Government has warned business leaders to tighten their cyber defences as AI makes it easier for hackers to uncover weaknesses in security systems.

Technology Secretary Liz Kendall and Security Minister Dan Jarvis co-wrote a letter to business chiefs outlining the growing concerns around the advancement of AI tools, with a growing capability they can carry out cyber attacks which previously required "rare expertise".

The warning comes as AI firm Anthropic shared it was withholding its latest advancements, called Mythos Preview, over fears it has the ability to identify vulnerabilities in IT systems.

​David Lammy calls accidental releases of prisoners 'unacceptable' 

The Government has announced up to £82 million to overhaul the prison system and stamp out the accidental release of prisoners, after an independent review found mistaken releases were "simply one symptom of a broken system".

A new Justice ID, a single digital identity tracking every offender from arrest to release, will be introduced alongside biometric technology including fingerprints and facial scans to verify identities at key points, including the moment of release.

Justice Secretary David Lammy said: “This independent review makes clear the unacceptable rise in release in errors have resulted from a broken system caused by 14 years of underinvestment and overcrowding in our prisons and courts.

“A system broken by over a decade of neglect cannot be fixed overnight, but in addition to the measures we put in place last year, today we are taking action to bring the prison system into the 21^st century.

“We are rolling out biometrics, a new Justice ID and up to £82 million to bear down on these errors and keep the public safe after years of chaos."

Rachel Reeves calls Iran war a 'mistake' 

The Chancellor Rachel Reeves has said the US-Israeli military operation in Iran is a "mistake" and has not made the world a safer place.

Speaking at an event in Washington, she ramped up her criticism of the war, saying that while diplomatic talks should continue to ensure Iran does not acquire nuclear weapons, the US's decision to go to war was an error.

Ms Reeves said: “The question is not whether you like or dislike the Iranian regime – I strongly dislike the Iranian regime – but how to achieve the change that you want to achieve.

“There was a diplomatic channel open, conversations, formal discussions were happening.

“I think it was a mistake to end those and to enter into conflict, because I’m not convinced that we are safer today than we were a few weeks ago.”

Keir Starmer spent £30k of taxpayers' cash on Downing Street flat – including £1.6k on shower screen

Sir Keir Starmer splashed out tens of thousands of pounds of taxpayers' money kitting out his Downing Street flat with household items including a £1,400 bed, a £1,395 "TV unit" and a £1,630 shower screen, GB News can disclose.

Officials acting for Sir Keir and Lady Starmer also spent £4,440 on three sofas, as well as £990 on six kitchen chairs and £1,207.50 on two dining tables in the months after the 2024 General Election when they moved into the spacious flat above No11.

The list comes from a breakdown of how officials spent the £30,000 a year Sir Keir is entitled to spend as part of a contribution towards maintaining and furnishing the four-bedroom grace and favour flat in the heart of Westminster.

However, it will leave the Prime Minister exposed to criticism, given he has spent taxpayers' cash generously on household items at a time when millions of families are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE.

Downing Street brands abuse of asylum system 'deplorable'

Migrants found to be lying about their sexuality to claim asylum will “find themselves on a one-way flight out of Britain”, Downing Street has warned.

It comes after a BBC investigation exposed law firms and advisers charging thousands of pounds to help asylum seekers pretend to be gay so they could make a successful claim to stay in the UK.

When asked about the report on Wednesday, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “Any attempt to misuse protections designed for people fleeing genuine persecution because of their sexuality is deplorable.

“Those trying to defraud the British people to enter or remain in the UK will have their asylum claim cancelled, support cut off and find themselves on a one-way flight out of Britain.

“Where unethical and illegal practices are identified and evidence exists, the team will refer legal practitioners to the relevant regulatory body or to the police.

“The asylum system is built on robust safeguards so every claim is rigorous and fairly assessed, abuse is actively uncovered and these procedures are continually reviewed to shut down misuse.”

Chancellor and allied counterparts call for 'swift and lasting negotiated resolution' to Iran conflict

Chancellor Rachel Reeves and counterparts from Ireland, Australia, Japan, Sweden, Netherlands, Finland, Spain, Norway, Poland and New Zealand have called for a “swift and lasting” end to the US-Iran war.

In a joint statement they said the US-Israeli strikes and Iran’s subsequent retaliation had caused “unacceptable loss of life and significant disruption to the global economy and financial markets” and welcomed the ceasefire.

The statement said: “We call for a swift and lasting negotiated resolution to the conflict, and a return to free and safe transit through the Strait of Hormuz, that mitigates impacts on growth, energy prices and living standards, in particular for the poorest and most vulnerable.

“Renewed hostilities, a widening of the conflict or continued disruption in the Strait of Hormuz would pose serious additional risks to global energy security, supply chains, and economic and financial stability.

“Even with a durable resolution of the conflict, impacts on growth, inflation and markets will persist.”

UK preparing 'biggest ever package of drones' for Ukraine, confirms Defence Secretary

John Healey has confirmed the UK’s “biggest ever package of drones” for Ukraine, as he said the technology is “defining the battlefield”.

In opening remarks at the Ukraine Defence Contact Group in Berlin, the Defence Secretary said: “Ukraine needs our help in one vital area above all others, and that is drones. Drones are defining the battlefield in this war.

“So in the UK, we’re stepping up further to recognise this pressure. I’m announcing today that the UK will be providing this year the biggest ever package of drones for Ukraine, over 120,000 in this year alone.

“This will be backed by the £3 billion of military support and the Russian frozen assets that we can free up to devote to Ukraine military aid.”

He said Britain will also be providing “hundreds of thousands of artillery rounds, thousands of air defence missiles”.

Mr Healey added: “Whatever else is happening in the world, we remember our duty to Ukraine and we recognise that Russian aggression is growing across Europe.”

Northern Ireland MPs call on Prime Minister to act amid fuel protests

Slow-moving convoys of tractors and other vehicles brought disruption to a number of major roads in Northern Ireland on Tuesday.

It came after larger-scale fuel protests in the Republic of Ireland, where motorways were brought to a standstill and fuel depots blockaded.

Speaking at Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, DUP MP Gregory Campbell warned that more protests are being organised for next week, and that action is needed “to ensure these protests don’t escalate out of control”.

The East Londonderry MP said: “Prime Minister, there is severe hardship being experienced by businesses, consumers and families right across the United Kingdom.

“Not just normal cost-of-living costs, but fuel costs are exceptionally high and getting higher.

“There are protests being organised as we speak for next week.

“Prime Minister, we need action delivered as quickly as possible in order to ensure that these protests don’t escalate out of control and people see that politics matters, governments listen and take action, rather than just offer words.”

Responding, Sir Keir Starmer said fuel duty will remain frozen until September, energy bills have been reduced, and that the Government would not tolerate profiteering or unfair practices.

No10 distances from calls to abandon US defence project over 'unreliable' partnership

Downing Street appeared to distance itself from the Welsh First Minister’s suggestion that work should pause on a major UK-US defence project in Pembrokeshire over doubts about America’s reliability as a partner.

Sir Keir Starmer’s spokesman declined to say whether the Prime Minister backed Baroness Eluned Morgan’s comments about the proposed Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability programme at Cawdor Barracks.

He said: “The Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability programme will secure long-term jobs in Pembrokeshire, Wales and help protect essential satellite communication and navigation works.

“We’re engaging with the local community on proposals to redevelop Cawdor Barracks to host DARC, which will be operated by UK personnel.

“We are following processes agreed with Pembrokeshire County Council and have already completed a comprehensive environmental impact assessment including to ensure the project has minimal impact on the local skyline.

“Cawdor Barracks has a long history of supporting the UK’s military. This site has been both a Royal Air Force flying station and a Royal Navy base.”

Whitehall and Washington continue to engage 'at all levels' despite Trump's suggestion deal could be changed

UK officials continue to engage with their US counterparts on trade despite Donald Trump’s suggestion that last year’s deal could be changed, Downing Street has said.

Asked about the US president’s comments overnight, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “We secured a preferential deal last year thanks to this Government’s engagement with the US.

“UK teams across Whitehall and in Washington are also continuing to engage with the US administration at all levels as they develop their wider approach to trade.

“Those discussions are ongoing.

“Our priority throughout is to secure the best possible outcome for British businesses and protecting jobs in the national interest.”

He added that the discussions did not involve revisiting the deal struck between Sir Keir Starmer and Mr Trump last year.

No10 defends UK-US 'special relationship' despite Trumps claims it's 'been better'

Downing Street has rejected Donald Trump’s characterisation of his relationship with Sir Keir Starmer after the US president said it had “been better”.

Asked whether relations between the two leaders were at a low point, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “I certainly wouldn’t characterise it in the way that the president has said.”

“The special relationship with the US exists on multiple levels and we have a close relationship which spans trade, diplomacy, national security, culture and beyond.

“It’s far bigger than any individual issue.

“The strength of our alliance is demonstrated by the way our forces are working side by side to support the collective self-defence of our allies in the Middle East and the Prime Minister has been clear that we will only act in the UK’s national interest and we will not get dragged into the war.”

Anas Sarwar rejects claims of a 'deal' with Reform to oust SNP in Scotland

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has insisted claims he could do a deal with Reform UK to oust the SNP in May’s Holyrood election are “utter nonsense”.

Mr Sarwar blasted the “poisonous” politics of Nigel Farage’s party, and insisted its Scottish leader, Malcolm Offord, is a “chronic liar”.

The attack came after Lord Offord used a TV election debate to claim that Mr Sarwar had approached him about the prospect of the two parties working together to remove the SNP from power in Scotland.

Speaking as he campaigned in Wishaw, North Lanarkshire, Mr Sarwar rejected Lord Offord’s claims in the strongest terms.

He said: “I am desperately keen to change the government in this country, I am desperately keen to change the first minister.

“But I am also desperately keen that we utterly reject the poison of Malcolm Offord, Nigel Farage and Reform.

“I want Reform to get absolutely hammered in this election so they realise their brand of poisonous politics is not welcome here.”

Welsh Labour First Minister calls for halt to involvement in US defence project

Baroness Eluned Morgan said the United States is “not the partner it once was”, and urged the UK Government to halt involvement in the Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability (Darc) programme.

The Cawdor Barracks site in Pembrokeshire is expected to house the main UK contribution to the project, alongside sites in the US and Australia.

In a statement today, Lady Morgan said: “I’m calling for the Darc defence project in Pembrokeshire to be halted.

“The United States under Donald Trump is not the partner it once was.

“Talk of targeting civilians, undermining our allies, and diminishing the sacrifice of our armed forces is not the conduct of a reliable ally.

“I believe in international alliances, I believe in collective security, but there is a clear difference between standing with our partners and giving a free pass to a US president who has threatened war crimes and shown contempt for our country.

“I’m urging the UK Government to halt our involvement in the Aukus radar project until we can be confident those partnerships reflect our values, and our security interests.”

The Darc programme will see a network of radars developed in Australia and the US as well as the UK to provide global monitoring of the skies, increasing the Aukus nations’ ability to track objects in space.

Prime Minister 'not going to yield' to Donald Trump over Iran war

Sir Keir Starmer has told the Commons he is “not going to yield” to pressure from Donald Trump over the Iran war, after the president threatened that he could change the terms of the US-UK trade deal.

Responding to Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey, who told PMQs the Government should not send the King to meet a man who “treats our country like a mafia boss running a protection racket”, the Prime Minister said: “My position on the Iran war has been clear from the start, we’re not going to get dragged into this war.

“It is not our war, and a lot of pressure has been applied to me to take a different course, and that pressure included what happened last night.

“I’m not going to change my mind. I’m not going to yield. It is not in our national interest to join this war, and we will not do so.

“In relation to the King’s visit, the purpose of the visit is to mark the 250th anniversary of relations and independence, obviously, of the US.

“The monarchy is an important reminder of the long-standing bonds and enduring relationship between our two countries, which are far greater than anyone who occupies any particular office at any particular time.”

Electoral Commission launches new tool to tackle AI deepfakes at May elections

The Electoral Commission has launched a new tool designed to detect AI deepfakes that threaten to mislead voters, to be trialled over the campaign period ahead of local elections on May 7.

It comes as concern mounts over the electoral impact of increasingly sophisticated deepfakes, which use AI to generate false videos or audio clips of a person.

Although the Electoral Commission believes no UK election has been “meaningfully” affected by a deepfake, the watchdog warned that elections elsewhere had shown the technology was becoming more accessible.

Last year’s Irish presidential election saw a fake video shared on social media which showed Catherine Connolly, the eventual winner, withdrawing from the contest just days before the poll.

Similar videos were reported last year during mayoral elections in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and the presidential election in South Korea.

Electoral Commission chief executive Vijay Rangarajan said the UK pilot would give voters “confidence”.

He said: “Voters want accurate information. Deliberately misleading or abusive video of candidates must not be shared.”

The pilot will cover England, Wales and Scotland, which are all holding elections in May, with the findings published after the polls.

While the Electoral Commission will not remove content as part of the pilot, it is expected to ask social media to take down material that raises serious concerns and work with parties and candidates to correct misleading videos.

PM confirms Southport investment after MP's Pride in Place bid

Sir Keir Starmer has confirmed Southport will receive fresh investment following the local MP's campaign to be included in Pride in Place funding.

The Prime Minister thanked Patrick Hurley, who vowed the town would not be defined by the Southport killings, confirmed funding for the reopening of Southport pier.

King's visit to US will go ahead despite Donald Trump's trade threat, PM confirms

King Charles III's visit to the United States will go ahead as scheduled despite Donald Trump's threat to tear up the UK's post-Brexit trade deal, Sir Keir Starmer has confirmed.

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey described Mr Trump's comments to Sky News as the "last straw", adding: "Surely, the Prime Minister can't send our King to meet a man who treats our country like a mafia boss running a protection racket."

Sir Keir replied: "The purpose of the visit is to mark the 250th anniversary of relations and independence of the US.

"The monarchy is an important reminder of the longstanding bonds and enduring relationships between our two countries, which is far greater than anyone who occupies any particular office at any particular time."

Keir Starmer rejects calls to cut benefits to fund military

Sir Keir Starmer has rejected calls to cut Britain's ballooning benefits bill to fund the Armed Forces.

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch asked the Prime Minister if he would follow Lord Robertson's advice on spending.

However, Sir Keir replied: “We are reforming welfare and spending more on defence. They did neither.

"The welfare bill rose by £88billion on their watch, it soared by £33billion under the shadow chancellor’s watch.

“We’re fixing it, what did they do, they voted against it, they voted to keep the broken system.

"So taking advice from the party opposite on reforming welfare and defence spending is like asking Liz Truss how to keep your mortgage down."

PM swerves question on HMS Dragon upgrades

Sir Keir Starmer has swerved a question about whether he will immediately approve an upgrade to HMS Dragon.

The Prime Minister instead decided to attack Kemi Badenoch.

He said: "She said a few weeks ago that serious times call for serious people. She is not one of them."

Kemi Badenoch demands PM publishes defence investment plan

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has put pressure on the Prime Minister to publish his defence investment plan.

She said: "There are still two weeks of the parliamentary session left, so why won’t the Prime Minister publish the defence investment plan before then?”

However, Mrs Badenoch's intervention sparked a fiery response from the Prime Minister.

Sir Keir replied: “These are record amounts, decisions of a Labour Prime Minister, a Labour Chancellor and a Labour Government.

"When they [the Tories] came into office, defence spending was 2.5 per cent. When they left it was 2.3 [per cent]. When they came into office the Army was 100,000. When they left office, 72,000.

“They cut frigates and Destroyers by 25 per cent. They cut mine-hunters by 50 per cent. She said at the weekend our defence is the weakest for 400 years. That is what they left behind.”

'It's PMQs!' Speaker slaps down Keir Starmer over failure to answer Kemi Badenoch's questions

Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle has slapped down Sir Keir Starmer after the Prime Minister took aim at Kemi Badenoch's response to events in the Middle East.

While the Prime Minister traded barbs with the Leader of the Opposition, Sir Lindsay rose to his feet.

He said: "Prime Minister, it's Prime Minister's Questions."

'I don't agree!' PM rebukes his own defence advisers over 'corrosive complacency' jibe

Sir Keir Starmer has rebuked his own defence advisers after the Prime Minister came under increased pressure to ramp up defence spending.

After being asked by Kemi Badenoch about Lord Robertson's "corrosive complacency" comment, the Prime Minister said: “Let me start by saying I respect Lord Robertson and I thank him again for carrying out the strategic review.

"My responsibility is to keep the British people safe and that is a duty I take seriously.

“That is why I don’t agree with his comments.

"Last February, that was seven months after taking office, I took the decision to increase defence spending from 2.3 per cent to 2.6 per cent, paid for by a difficult decision on overseas aid."

'Southport inquiry report is truly harrowing,' says Keir Starmer

Sir Keir Starmer has admitted the Southport inquiry report is "truly harrowing" following the publication of the much-anticipated report earlier this week.

Addressing the House of Commons, the Prime Minister said: "I cannot imagine the pain that it will cause the families of all those affected.

“We will make the changes needed to honour the victims, the injured and the families, and our thoughts remain with the loved ones of Elsie, Bebe and Alice and all of those impacted.”

PICTURED: Keir Starmer leaves No10 ahead of PMQs showdown

Treasury supports Rachel Reeves' anger over Iran war

Rachel Reeves’ expression of anger over Donald Trump’s war with Iran is a “view shared by many of us and people across the country”, a Treasury minister has insisted.

James Murray, chief secretary to the Treasury, said: “I think what the Chancellor was expressing is her views, views shared by many of us and people across the country, that it was not a decision that we wanted to take to get involved with the conflict in Iran when there is no clear exit plan and no clear strategy for what was supposed to be achieved there.

“We have to deal with the consequences of that conflict and that is why it is so important that we work with countries around the world to de-escalate the situation, to get the Strait of Hormuz reopened, and to return stability to the world economy.”

Labour must deliver 'real investment' with Women's Health Strategy, says Lib Dem health spokeswoman

The Government must back its renewed Women’s Health Strategy with “real investment” in services that have been “stretched to breaking point”, a Liberal Democrat spokeswoman has said.

The strategy, launching today, sets out 117 action points and makes several pledges on how care will improve for women.

Liberal Democrat health spokeswoman Helen Morgan told BBC Radio 4’: “We’ve seen the devastating toll that failures in maternity and women’s health can take on families.

“Beggars belief that vital services remain understaffed and underfunded while women and girls go without the care that they need.

“We now need to back this talk with real investment in the services that impact women and which has been stretched to breaking point.

“The Government must tackle rampant medical disinformation, which targets women and has become endemic on their watch, and guarantee the one-on-one midwifery and specialist doctors on every unit that is essential for safe maternity care.”

Wes Streeting says NHS will NOT pay for gynaecology interventions upon "bad experiences"

The Health Secretary has said NHS trusts will not be paid for gynaecology interventions “if women have bad experiences”.

Wes Streeting said women will be given powers to contribute to the withholding of payments for services if they have a poor experience as part of the Government’s renewed Women’s Health Strategy, which is being launched today.

Speaking of the new patient power payments approach, he told BBC Radio 4: “We’re going to start in gynaecology, and if women have bad experiences, as they too often do, the trust will not be paid for that intervention for the woman in question, and instead it will go into a gynaecology improvement fund that would support the same trust to improve.

“What I’ve learned in the last two years as Health Secretary is that, in the NHS, over and above everything money talks.

“And if you’ve got CEOs and CFOs in trusts who are feeling that pinch in their bottom line from women saying ‘this isn’t good enough’, that is going to make them sit up, take notice and respond, because there is effectively a financial penalty for the trust.”

The Health Secretary said these patient power payments will be rolled out later this year.

72% of parents support Labour's Under 16's social media ban 

Members of Parliament are set to vote today on the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill, with fresh polling revealing overwhelming support among British parents for restricting young people's access to social media platforms.

Research conducted by Opinium shows that 72 per cent of parents across the country favour implementing an Australian-style prohibition on social media use for those under 16.

The Commons vote gives MPs an opportunity to reverse a ban proposal that received backing from the House of Lords several weeks ago.

Broader public sentiment also leans towards restrictions, with two-thirds of all adults supporting such measures and even 51 per cent of 18-24 year olds agreeing that under-16s should be kept off social media.

However, questions remain about the effectiveness of such restrictions, with more than 60 per cent of young Australians continuing to access social media, despite their country's ban being in place.

Current government guidance, which is non-binding, recommends that schools operate as phone-free environments by default, including during break times.

The Government maintains it is still consulting on whether to implement an under-16s ban alongside alternative approaches.

Kemi Badenoch calls for deportation of Southport killer's parents for catastrophic negligence

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has called for the parents of the Southport killer to be deported if they don't face criminal action, after a public inquiry found they could have prevented the Southport attack.

The Tory leader said the killer's father, Alphonse Rudakubana, and mother, Laetitia Muzayire, "knew their son was stockpiling weapons and planning an attack" but "chose silence" and "three little girls paid with their lives".

Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, and Bebe King, six, were stabbed to death at a Taylor Swift-themed dance workshop on July 29 2024.

Badenoch said the killer's parents "were people who were refugees in our country, they fled a horrific genocide, they know what violence looks like and when they saw that someone in their household was very likely to do the same to other people's children they did nothing.

"I think that is appalling, I think they have a lot of questions to answer.

"I think we should look at every possible avenue, to look at what we can do if not from a criminal side, then potentially even from an immigration side," she said.

She also called on them to apologise to the British public.

Conservatives 'made our mistakes' on immigration, says Tory Party Chairman 

Conservative Party Chairman Kevin Hollinrake MP, says immigration is "too high", but declines to describe it as an invasion.

It follows Donald Trump saying the UK is being "invaded" by immigrants.

"I wouldn't use those words. Immigration is too high, that's the reality," he told Sky News

He says the last Conservative government's Rwanda scheme worked "because it was already deterring people from coming to the UK" , even though removals of asylum seekers to Rwanda didn't occur.

Meanwhile, he says the Tories "made our mistakes" on immigration: "We kept promising to control it, and we got the rules wrong when we had the controls post 2020."

He says his party would withdraw the UK from the European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR) to help tackle illegal immigration.

Ex-Labour councillor denies blackmail plot against Tory MP

A former Labour councillor has pleaded not guilty to blackmailing ex-Conservative MP William Wragg in an alleged Westminster honeytrap plot.

Oliver Steadman, 29, has been charged with one count of blackmail and five allegations of improper use of a public electronic communications network, over allegations that he was behind a series of “flirty” messages and explicit images sent to a series of MPs and Westminster figures.

Mr Wragg, who was Hazel Grove MP and an influential backbencher, resigned the Tory whip in April 2024 and stood down from Parliament at the subsequent general election after he admitted giving out the phone numbers of politicians to someone he met on dating app Grindr.

Steadman is accused of being the person who was in contact with Mr Wragg.

At Southwark Crown Court today, Steadman stood in the dock to enter a not guilty plea to a blackmail charge.

It is alleged that between February 1 and March 31 2024, Steadman “made unwarranted demands in a series of electronic communication network messages for contact telephone numbers of up to 12 individuals from William Wragg with menaces".

Judge Tony Baumgartner adjourned the case for a three-week trial, due to start on October 4 2027.

Steadman, who previously represented Labour as a councillor in Islington, will remain on unconditional bail until his trial.

A further pre-trial hearing is due to take place on October 12 2026.

Scottish Green co-leader ‘undecided’ about who to back in constituency vote

Scottish Green co-leader Ross Greer insisted he has “genuinely not decided” who to vote for in his Holyrood constituency.

With Greens only standing in six of the 73 constituencies at Holyrood on May 7, the party’s co-leader does not have the option of backing his party for the seat where he lives.

While he stressed he, and everyone else in Scotland, could back the Greens on the regional list section of the ballot, Mr Greer was pressed to say who he would be voting for for his constituency MSPs.

He insisted: “I’ve genuinely not decided yet with my constituency vote.”

Treasury defends allegations of 'vandalism and complacency' over defence spending - 'We're not sat on our hands'

James Murray MP, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, has defended accusations of "vandalism" and "complacency" by Government over a lack of commitment to defence spending.

It comes after Lord Robertson claimed national security is in peril, accusing the Government of "corrosive complacency" over defence spending.

Mr Murray told GB News: "Look at the decisions the Chancellor and prime Minister have taken to the highest sustain levels since the Cold War.

"We came into office with a commitment in our manifesto about setting out a pathway to spending 2.5 per cent of GDP on defence over this parliament, and we're going to hit 2.6 per cent by April next year.

"It's really important to underline the investment going into our military - we have to get it right though, it's not just about how much you spend, it's about how you spend it.

"The Defence Investment Plan, which is a 10-year strategy to transform our armed forces, is so important to get right."

When challenged over a delay on said plan, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury said they are adapting to new threats and it will be published "soon" - "We're not sat on our hands", he said.

Campaigners to meet Bridget Phillipson over postponed trans guidance

Campaigners who won a legal case in the UK’s highest court on the definition of a woman are to meet with the equalities minister almost exactly one year on from the landmark ruling.

For Women Scotland (FWS) will meet with Bridget Phillipson to press for “more detail” after she confirmed long-awaited guidance on single-sex spaces is likely to be published next month.

The group’s director, Marion Calder, said she and her fellow campaigners feel “cautiously optimistic” after Ms Phillipson’s update, which comes eight months on from the draft guidance having initially been handed to her department.

The updated code of practice - aimed at guiding businesses and other organisations on provision of single and separate-sex services such as toilets and changing rooms - will face parliamentary scrutiny before coming into force.

Conservative Party Chairman brands rejection of defence proposal 'disgraceful'

Kevin Hollinrake MP, Conservative Party Chairman, said the "immediate rejection" of the party's proposal to aid improvement of Britain's defence capabilities was "disgraceful".

Party leader Kemi Badenoch offered Sir Keir an opportunity to work together to improve UK defence capabilities by reforming the welfare budget in the Commons on Monday - which was promptly struck down.

He told GB News: "Today, we need to spend more, that means reducing the cost of the Government in other areas, to make sure we can spend the right amount of money on defence.

"The welfare budget is far too high - we found £23 billion of savings in the welfare budget."

He claimed the party stance is to reach three per cent GDP on defence by the end of this parliament - a position "not matched" by the Labour Government.

"They need to step up and spend more of defence today", he said.

Lib Dems pledge to repair GP surgeries 'under strain'

Liberal Democrat Health spokesperson Helen Morgan MP has outlined the party's proposal to reduce the strain on GP surgeries in the UK, which she says are being "overwhelmed".

She told GB News: "We had in our manifesto, a fully costed plan to recruit or retain 8,000 more GPs, and to provide funding to reopen some of those vulnerable surgeries that have closed, particularly in rural and coastal areas."

The MP said they would allocate funds to the upfront running costs to ensure new sites became viable, and until the rest of the development has been built out.

"That could be a whole new surgery, it could be an expansion of an existing one - to make sure then when people are promised access to GP's in a capacity to support their community, that it's there and they don't get let down.

UK-US tensions will NOT impact King's state visit, Trump insists

A breakdown in the political relationship between the US and Britain will not have an impact on the King’s upcoming state visit to America, Donald Trump has insisted.

The US president hit out at Sir Keir Starmer for making “tragic” mistakes on winding down drilling in the North Sea and on migration, and suggested the terms of the UK-US trade deal brokered last year could be changed.

Speaking to Sky News, Mr Trump described Charles as a “great gentleman”.

“I’ve known him for a long time. He’s wonderful, wonderful person,” the US president added.

Mr Trump insisted his strained relationship with Sir Keir would “not at all” overshadow the royal visit.

He then began to criticise Sir Keir, telling the broadcaster that while he liked the Prime Minister, he had made a “tragic mistake in closing the North Sea oil”, as well as “a tragic mistake on immigration”.

Asked for his thoughts on the special relationship, Mr Trump replied: “With who?”

Labour MP pushes for open, inclusive sex education and secures parliamentary debate

Labour MP Samantha Niblett has launched a campaign to make 2026 the “summer of sex”, as she pushes for more open, inclusive lifelong sex education.

Ms Niblett, elected as MP for South Derbyshire in 2024, has secured a debate in Parliament on lifelong sex education in the early autumn.

The MP is working with Cindy Gallop, a sextech entrepreneur and founder of an adult video website that aims to offer an alternative to hardcore pornography.

On Monday, the pair launched a campaign calling for better lifelong, inclusive sex education in the UK to help people understand consent, prevent abuse and violence, and raise awareness of how childbirth, the menopause, stress and other health conditions can impact sexual satisfaction.

Chancellor to hold talks with US counterpart after he said 'economic pain' from Iran war was 'worth it'

Rachel Reeves is set to meet her US counterpart after he said “a small bit of economic pain” caused by the Iran war was worth it to prevent Tehran getting a nuclear weapon.

The comments by US treasury secretary Scott Bessent put him at odds with the Chancellor, who has gone public with her anger and frustration at the “folly” of America’s actions in the Middle East and its financial fallout on families.

The pair are due to hold face-to-face talks in Washington DC today during the spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund, and will be dominated by the ongoing crisis in the Gulf, which has inflicted a global economic shock and sent energy prices soaring.