Labour has announced a major crackdown on AI-generated sexual images amid threats to ban Elon Musk's X app over the row.
Addressing the Commons, Technology Secretary Liz Kendall announced that creating non-consensual intimate images will become a criminal offence from this week.
However, she added that "responsibilities do not just lie with individuals for their own behaviour. The platforms that host such material must be held accountable, including X".
"This new criminal offence will make it illegal for companies to supply tools designed to create non-consensual, intimate images, targeting the problem at its source.
"And in addition to all of these actions, we expect technology companies to introduce the steps recommended by Ofcom's guidance on how to make platforms safer for women and girls without delay.
"If they do not, I am prepared to go further," she warned.
"It's about upholding basic British values of decency and respect and ensuring the standards we expect offline are upheld online. And it is about exercising our sovereign power and responsibility to uphold the laws of this land," the Technology Secretary explained.
Shadow Tech Secretary Julia Lopez challenges Labour's plan to criminalise nudification images generated by AI
Government accused of 'appendage swinging' over X stance
The Conservatives accused the Government of “appendage swinging” over a potential ban of X after its AI chatbot Grok allowed the creation of non-consensual intimate images.
Shadow technology secretary Julia Lopez welcomed action taken by Ofcom, and said her party supported the Government on nudification tools.
However, she accused the Government of “soft back peddling” over a purported ban, in part of her speech that was met with cries of “shame”.
Ms Lopez said: “The Government’s appendage swinging over the weekend was extremely serious. Ministers mooted as an urgent remedy the banning of a site of 21 million monthly users in this country, despite another minister guffawing that banning X was conspiracy theory number 3627.”
She said, despite the internet being used by criminals, websites have not been banned before.
“It is an extraordinarily serious move against a platform that can be used for good, for uncovering scandal, sparking democratic revolution, and allow day-to-day the free exchange of ideas, including ideas we don’t like.”
Ms Lopez said taking action on X could lead to regulators not pursuing other abhorrent and dangerous crimes. She added: “(Ms Kendall) has said the Government is as determined to ensure women and girls are safe online as we are to ensure that they are safe in the real world.
“To this end, will she be ensuring that the Government enforces against itself for its failure to advance the rape gang inquiry. Its failure to stop puberty-blocking trials, its failure to implement single-sex spaces, its inability to deport illegal migrants who have committed sex offences.”
Nigel Farage teases more defections to come after ex-Chancellor stunned Tories with shock switch
Nigel Farage has hinted that more top Tories will defect to Reform UK after ex-Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi shocked his former colleagues by switching allegiance.
The Reform UK leader, who unveiled Mr Zahawi as his 22nd defector this morning, revealed he is having conversations with disgruntled Tories ahead of the 2026 Local Elections.
He said: “There are plenty of people in the Conservative Party currently talking to me and some might fit and some might not fit.
"But they can all see that May 7 is an absolutely pivotal moment after which there is a strong chance that the Conservative Party after its couple of hundred years will cease to be a national political party, hence some of the conversations that are going on.”
However, Mr Farage also admitted Reform UK has rejected some wannabe defectors.
The Reform UK leader told reporters: “That is a very good question.
"Have we said no to people? Yes, we have. I’m not going to tell you [who], for goodness sake ... We want people who believe in what we’re doing."
Reform UK's defection deluge started all the way back in March 2024, with Lee Anderson switching from the Tories after having the Conservative whip suspended for claiming Islamists have taken control of London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan.
Ex-Tory MPs Lucy Allan, Mark Reckless, Andrea Jenkyns, Aidan Burley and David Jones followed suit later in 2024.
Marco Longhi, Ross Thomson, Anne Marie Morris, Sir Jake Berry, Adam Holloway, Nadine Dorries, Maria Caulfield, Sarah Atherton, Jonathan Gullis, Lia Nici and Chris Green joined last year.
However, Mr Zahawi's defection is the most high-profile since current MP Danny Kruger switched to Reform UK in September 2025.
Sadiq Khan rubbishes ‘Burka ban’ supported by Reform UK’s London Mayor hopeful: ‘Just wrong!’
Sadiq Khan has rubbished the proposal of a Burka ban supported by Laila Cunningham, the Reform UK candidate hoping to replace him as London Mayor.
“In relation to burkas, or the nikab or the hijab, as a man, it’s just wrong for me to tell women what to wear or what not to wear,” he said.
“I think it’s a choice for individual women to make in relation to what they wear. I wouldn’t dream of telling women what to wear, I think they should have the freedom to choose what to wear,” the London Mayor added.
Ms Cunningham had previously said that, as mayor, she would “give orders to the police that any face coverings are a reason for stop and search”, adding “you shouldn’t cover your face”.
Referring to the hijab, Ms Cunningham, who is herself a Muslim, said: “That’s not religion. There’s nowhere in the Koran that says you have to cover your face or cover your hair. It says you have to be modest.
“Where covering your hair and the burka comes is Wahhabism in Saudi. And these are very extreme traditions. In the Middle East, before the extreme Muslim takeover of it, people were in bikinis in Iran and Egypt. It wasn’t like it is today,” the Reform UK candidate added.
‘Street-by-street warfare!’ Tories brace for 'political war' after Nadhim Zahawi defection to Reform UK
The Conservatives are bracing for what James Heale described as “street-by-street warfare” following Nadhim Zahawi’s shock defection to Reform UK.
The former Chancellor, who announced his move at a Westminster press conference alongside Nigel Farage, said Britain was “sick” and had entered a “dark and dangerous chapter”, blaming failures on mass migration, defence and what he called virtue-signalling legislation.
James Heale, Deputy Political Editor at The Spectator, said: "Nadhim Zahawi is someone who hasn’t kept a high profile since leaving the political stage in July 2024, around 18 months ago.
"As he said there, he let his Conservative Party membership lapse last month and didn’t make a big song and dance about it.
Nadhim Zahawi tried for Tory peerage 'several times' before defecting to Reform
Nadhim Zahawi tried for Tory peerage "several times" before defecting to Reform, a source has told GB News.
"Nadhim asked for a peerage several times," the source expained. "Given he was sacked for his dodgy tax affairs, this was never going to happen.
"His defection tells you everything you need to know about Reform being a repository for disgraced politicians."
Mr Zahawi was unveiled as the latest defection to Nigel Farage's party in a press conference on Monday morning.
The former Tory Chancellor said that Britain was "sick" and "needed Nigel Farage".
Parliament to debate immediate General Election today - MPs react
After a petition for an immediate General Election gained over 1,000,000 signatures online, MPs are set to debate the topic later this afternoon in Parliament - around 4.30pm to be exact.
And MPs have already started to have their say on the matter.
Deputy Chairman of the Conservatives, Matt Vickers, said Labour are "destroying Britain," citing "unemployment surging, the Family Farm Tax, Winter Fuel cut, Digital ID."
MP for Berwickshire, Roxburgh & Selkirk, John Lamont, said: "Keir Starmer is a useless Prime Minister who has failed in every way possible.
"We’ve got to get Labour out."
WATCH: Katherine Forster discusses as former Tory Chancellor defects to Reform
'Why the change of heart?' Katherine Forster grills Nadhim Zahawi after ex-Tory accused Nigel Farage of 'racist remark' in 2015
GB News political correspondent Katherine Forster has grilled Reform's newest recruit Nadhim Zahawi over a tweet he sent in 2015 that accused Nigel Farage of making "offensive and racist" comments.
Katherine asked Mr Zahawi about his post just minutes after the former Chancellor revealed he had defected from the Tories to Reform UK at a dramatic press conference today.
Mr Zahawi defended himself while sitting alongside Mr Farage, saying that if he believed the Reform UK leader had issues with people of his background, he would not have joined the party.
Katherine asked: "Nadhim Zahawi, a few years ago you tweeted: 'I'm not British born, Mr Nigel Farage. I am as British as you are. Your comments are offensive and racist. I would be frightened to live in a country run by you.' Why the change of heart?"
MPs react to Nadhim Zahawi defection: 'Reform is becoming a retirement home for disgraced former Conservative ministers'
Liberal Democrat MP for Stratford-on-Avon (Zahawi's former seat), Manuela Perteghella, has said that Reform is becoming a "retirement home" after former Tory Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi defected to Nigel Farage's party on Monday
"Reform is becoming a retirement home for disgraced former Conservative ministers," Ms Perteghella said.
"Zahawi served under Liz Truss and Boris Johnson and now he's being championed by Nigel Farage.
"It's no wonder voters in Stratford kicked out the Conservatives at the last election and put their trust in the Liberal Democrats."
Meanwhile, Anna Turley MP, Labour Party Chair, said: "This confirms what we already knew: Reform UK has no shame. Nadhim Zahawi is a discredited and disgraced politician who will be forever tied to the Tories’ shameful record of failure in government.
"Zahawi himself has previously repeatedly lambasted his new boss over his divisive and extreme rhetoric - and Farage has said that Zahawi has no principles and is only interested in climbing the greasy pole.
"This shameless scurry of yet another failed Tory over to Reform will tell people everything they need to know about both of them.
"While Farage spreads toxic division and decline, this Labour Government is focused on delivering for working people. We’re tackling the cost of living - with free breakfast clubs for kids, rail fares and prescription charges frozen, and mortgage costs easing."
'Guildford should have gone already,' says Nigel Farage
Nigel Farage has said that West Midlands Police Chief Craig Guildford "should have gone already" after his "abject" performance in front of the Home Affairs Select Committee last week.
CC Guildford has been criticised after West Midlands Police decided to ban fans of Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv from attending their game against Aston Villa.
The Reform UK leader said that he was "amazed" CC Guildford was still in his role, saying: "Frankly, what was revealed last week in that abject performance before the Committee was something extraordinary.
"Basically, the police chief hasn't just lied to everybody, he's literally - talk about racism - kowtowed, just a form of violent extremism."
It is 'vital' Ofcom act 'swiftly', says Minister
Liz Kendall has said Ofcom must complete its investigation "swiftly" because "the public and most importantly the victims will not accept any delay".
The Technology Secretary said in a statement on Monday: "I welcome Ofcom’s urgency in launching a formal investigation today.
"It is vital that Ofcom complete this investigation swiftly because the public – and most importantly the victims – will not accept any delay.
"The content created and shared using Grok in recent days has been deeply disturbing and I will be updating Parliament later today on the Government’s response."
Kemi Badenoch 'not against' proscribing IRGC
Kemi Badenoch, leader of the Conservatives, has said she is not against proscribing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation.
When asked if she would back the IRGC being proscribed, she said: "So I’m not against that, but we already have powers within the National Security Act in order to ban organisations like the IRGC, at the end of the day, they are the army of an enemy country. We don’t need to have a ban. There are loads of laws and legislation in place. Let’s use them."
Then Ms Badenoch was probed as to whether she would British involvement and if she supports regime change, she added: "What we have seen in Iran is a lot of people fighting for their freedom, and we’re on the side of those people, many of whom are giving up their lives, sacrificing their lives for a better country.
"We know that regime makes life awful for women, awful for gay people. It is repressive and brutal. So yes, I would like to see a regime change, because it is a country that is harmful to Britain, and having a better Iran is in Britain’s national interest."
Nigel Farage responds to Tory claims
Nigel Farage has responded to Tory claims that they are "fast becoming the party of has-been politicians".
When asked if he has said no to politicians joining the party, Mr Farage said: "We have. We want people who believe in what we're doing."
He added: "There are plenty of people in the Conservative Party who are talking to me. Some may fit, and some may not. But they can all see that May 7 is an absolutely pivotal moment, after which the Conservative Party, after a couple hundred years, will cease to be a national political party - hence all the conversations."
Nadhim Zahawi then took over, saying that the Tories came to him "not too long ago" for his advice on how the party should move forward.
"I think that speaks volumes for my ability," he said.
Tories slam 'one-man band' Reform
The Conservatives have hit back after the former Tory Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi announced he had defected to Reform.
"Reform is fast becoming the party of has-been politicians looking for their next gravy train," a Tory spokesman said.
"Their latest recruit used to say he'd be 'frightened to live in a country' run by Nigel Farage, which shows the level of loyalty for sale.
"Reform want higher welfare spending and higher taxes. They are a one-man band with no plan for our country.
"Under Kemi Badenoch the Conservatives are demonstrating we have the plan, the competence and the team to get Britain working again."
Mr Zahawi instead said that Britain is "sick" and "needs Nigel Farage".
Nigel Farage blasts 'stupidity' of European Union and demands IRGC is proscribed
During Monday's press conference, Nigel Farage said he would support US military action in Iran as protests continued to be brutally and fatally supressed by Tehran.
Reports state that at least 544 protesters have been killed so far.
Mr Farage said: "We should have proscribed the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) years ago, just as we should have proscribed the Muslim Brotherhood years ago and I’ve been saying those things clearly and consistently for many, many years and I’ve reiterated them in recent times.
"I cannot believe the stupidity of Obama, the European Union, the British Foreign Office and some of your former colleagues who went along in 2015 with this JCPOA deal. It’s been a disaster, it’s freed up tens of billions of dollars for the Iranians. And what have they used it for? They’ve used it to fund the Houthis, Hezbollah, Hamas.
"We went for regime change against Saddam, we went for regime change against Gaddafi, the regime change we’ve always needed is against Iran.
"I very much hope President Trump acts in the next few days. We don’t know how many have been killed, it could be perhaps as many as 2,000. So would I support military action against the IRGC, the Revolutionary Guard, on the ground, Iran, so the good guys can win this revolution? Absolutely, 100 per cent."
Nadhim Zahawi dismisses old tweet bashing Nigel Farage
Nadhim Zahawi has been asked on his previous comments in which he accused then-Ukip leader Nigel Farage of making "offensive and racist" comments.
He added at the time: "I would be frightened to live in a country run by you."
Mr Zahawi quickly put the talk to bed, saying he would "not be sat next to" Mr Farage if he thought he "had an issue with people of my colour or my background."
The Reform leader also discussed Mr Zahawi's previous tax issues, which led him to being sacked from the Cabinet.
"There’s nobody with a complex business empire that does not have to have negotiations at some point with HMRC," Mr Farage said.
Nadhim Zahawi says Britain is 'sick'
After announcing his defection to Nigel Farage's Reform UK, Nadhim Zahawi said Britain is "sick".
Mr Zahawi, who said he could have stayed out of politics and instead remained in business, said he knows what it is like to be a popular politician and feels it is his duty to support Reform.
He stated that Britain was "sick", adding : "We can all see that our beautiful, ancient, kind, magical island story has reached a dark and dangerous chapter."
He attributed this to "failures on mass migration, failure to strengthen our Armed Forces or even to protect special forces from insane government lawyers, and bad, virtue-signalling legislation".
"These have provided me with painful lessons learnt that I will hope benefit this great new team," he said.
Britain 'drinking at the last chance saloon' says Nadhim Zahawi
Nadhim Zahawi has said that Britain is "drinking at the last chance saloon" in a press conference on Monday.
The former Conservative Chancellor announced he had defected to Reform on Monday morning, appearing alongside Reform UK leader Nigel Farage.
Britain "really does need Nigel Farage as prime minister" Mr Zahawi said, adding: "I’ve made my mind that the team that will deliver for this nation will be the team that Nigel will put together, and that’s why I’ve decided that I’m joining Reform UK."
Elon Musk's X under investigation over AI sexual image generation tool with warning site faces ban
The UK’s independent online safety watchdog, Ofcom, has today opened a formal investigation into X under the UK’s Online Safety Act, to determine whether it has complied with its duties to protect people in the UK from content that is illegal in the UK.
The social media platform has been drawn into controversy over concerns about its AI tool, Grok, being used to generate explicit images of women and children.
"There have been deeply concerning reports of the Grok AI chatbot account on X being used to create and share undressed images of people – which may amount to intimate image abuse or pornography – and sexualised images of children that may amount to child sexual abuse material (CSAM)," the regulator said.
"As the UK’s independent online safety watchdog, we urgently made contact with X on Monday 5 January and set a firm deadline of Friday 9 January for it to explain what steps it has taken to comply with its duties to protect its users in the UK.
"The company responded by the deadline, and we carried out an expedited assessment of available evidence as a matter of urgency."
Mark Rowley declares 'London is safe' and makes promises on GB News after lowest murder rate in a decade
Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley declared "London is safe" on GB News as he promised to crack down on "dangerous men" after official data revealed a major drop in homicide cases.
London has achieved its safest year in more than a decade, with the Metropolitan Police recording just 97 homicides in 2025.
This figure marks an 11 per cent reduction compared to the 109 killings documented in 2024, representing the capital's lowest annual total since 2014 when 95 deaths were recorded.
The statistics reveal that London's homicide rate per capita has reached an unprecedented low of 1.1 per 100,000 residents, despite the city's population continuing to grow.
Minister says he expected Grok AI images to be 'dealt with'
Peter Kyle has said he expected the production of "nudifying images" by X’s AI Grok to be "dealt with", but added it was up to Ofcom to enforce the law.
The Business Secretary said: "In this country, we have independent regulators, and when it comes to enforcement it is not the decision of ministers like me as to whether someone is sanctioned or fined or not.
"I brought in measures that strengthened the law, that raised the ceiling on the law when it came to protecting children and protecting g everybody from hate and criminal activity online.
"The independent regulator Ofcom is now deciding whether X has stepped outside of the law with the way that Grok, the AI-generated chatbot, is integrated with X and is generating nudifying images.
"Some of the things I have seen and heard about are disgusting and clearly unlawful, and I expect that to be dealt with."
UK Iran protests will be policed 'without fear or favour' says Sir Mark Rowley
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has pledged that demonstrations in the UK in support of protesters in Iran will be policed “without fear or favour”.
Asked about the protests on GB News, he said: “We police protest without fear or favour under the law as Parliament's created it, we can't make up laws. We have to do that under those laws.
“I think what I've seen over the last few years is the most challenging period of protest ever. And our command teams who are making the decisions and the officers on the streets, it is routine now for one side of the argument to say you were too lenient on that group and the support of that group saying you were too harsh on them.
“We're constantly criticised from both sides, because we're the people on the street dealing with tension and trying to manage that tension and deal with illegal behaviour. So for example, there was a protest over the weekend outside a restaurant, and we've made an arrest there, and we're looking to CPS as to whether we can prosecute somebody for incitement for racial hatred from that offence.
“We'll keep doing those sorts of things. We'll keep intervening when people break the law, and trying to find that balance between freedom of speech, which I know is really important to people, and your ability to express your opinion, but also balancing that with not doing this in a way which intimidates or affects the rights of others.”
X should NOT be banned, but AI imagery is a 'huge issue', says Minister
Laura Trott has said the social media platform X should not be banned, although admitted that AI imagery is a "huge issue".
Speaking to the People's Channel on Monday morning, the Shadow Education Secretary said: "No, I don't [think X should be banned].
"But, there is obviously a huge issue around AI-generated imagery, children sexual abuse imagery, and this is gong to be a problem with AI across the board, which we do need regulation for.
"We did some of that when we were in government, I believe the Government is going to bring forward some more legislation on this, and that will be really important because we need to make sure these tools are safe for women and children."
It comes after reports over the weekend that Sir Keir Starmer had held talks with Canada and Australia over a potential ban on Elon Musk's social media platform, X.
Mr Musk's site was drawn into controversy over concerns about its AI tool, Grok, being used to generate explicit images of women and children.
Sadiq Khan backs plans to make 'globalise the intifada' arrests
Sir Sadiq Khan has backed the Metropolitan Police’s decision to arrest anyone chanting "globalise the intifada".
Speaking to Sky News, the Mayor of London said: “My message to Londoners, and those across the country, is to park for a second what the criminal law is.
"Do you really want your neighbours who may be Jewish, your friends who may be Jewish, your colleagues who may be Jewish, being scared? That’s what’s happened over the last three years, there’s a heightened fear amongst Jewish people.
"If you are cognisant that what you’re saying is causing concern to your neighbours, don’t say it.
"There are other ways to make your views heard loudly and clearly about what’s happening in Gaza and the West Bank."
WATCH: Shadow Education Secretary discusses potential social media ban on under-16s
Keir Starmer braces for snap General Election petition debate TODAY as Labour backlash grows
Sir Keir Starmer will today face a crunch debate on holding a snap General Election after a petition received more than one million signatures.
The Prime Minister is facing a growing backlash over his policy announcements since entering No10, including winter fuel payments and an inheritance tax raid on farmers.
However, Labour is also under pressure to stop the small boat crisis in the Channel, with new fears being raised about Sir Keir's plan to reset relations with the European Union.
Tory MP John Lamont will open the Westminster Hall debate at 4.30pm today, with Labour Minister Anna Turley responding on behalf of the Government.
UK has 'already used the sanctions against Iran to the full extent' says Minister
The UK Government has "already used the sanctions against Iran to the full extent we can," Peter Kyle said this morning.
The Business Secretary told Times Radio that Iran "must allow the space for protest to unfold", adding that the Government is already sanctioning Iran and has been "really careful to be as strident as we possibly can in support of Iranian people who want change in Iran."
"It is no question and I don’t think anybody would question the fact that this Government cares very deeply about civilians and people in Iran," Mr Kyle said. "We will do everything we can, but when we use domestic legislation we need to make sure that it’s appropriate use of it."
When asked if he was ruling out a ban on the IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) or whether there could be some kind of ban but not via domestic legislation, he said "no," but said: "We’ve already used the sanctions against Iran to the full extent we can."
Away from Westminster... Labour 'faces Red Wall revolt to Reform' amid fears of 'anti-Brexit rebellion'
Labour risks losing swathes of pro-Brexit seats to Reform UK if rebels defy Sir Keir Starmer by voting for an amendment to rejoin the customs union, a leading Eurosceptic MP has told GB News.
The Prime Minister, who recently warned rejoining the customs union would torpedo the UK’s new trade deal with India, could soon suffer a major Brexit blow as dozens of Labour MPs look set to back an amendment to unpick a key pillar of Brexit.
Labour’s lone Brexit-backing MP Graham Stringer claimed the Liberal Democrats' push to rejoin the customs union would likely succeed but suggested reopening Brexit wounds could boost Reform UK across the Leave-supporting Red Wall.
Keir Starmer could finally ban Iran's 'terror army' after Nigel Farage urges him to 'stand up to the Ayatollah'
Sir Keir Starmer is said to be looking into a ban on Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps
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Sir Keir Starmer is said to be looking into a ban on Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) amid its brutal crackdown on protesters in the Middle Eastern country.
The IRGC has played a crucial role in the Iranian regime's violent battle to squash dissent from pro-democracy demonstrators.
Over 500 people have been killed since the civil unrest began over two weeks ago - although the true figure is believed to be much higher.
Sir Keir has been urged by senior figures from within his own party, the Tories and Reform UK to now officially ban the IGRC in Britain in solidarity with the protesters...
RECAP: What happened in Birmingham, and why is Craig Guildford facing calls to be sacked?
The row over the Israeli fan ban centres on a meeting between West Midlands Police and Dutch police after violence in Amsterdam in 2024.
When Maccabi Tel Aviv played away at Ajax, violent clashes broke out.
The force said Maccabi fans had targeted Muslim communities - but Amsterdam police disputed that, saying Maccabi supporters were themselves targeted.
British officers told councillors and MPs that their Dutch counterparts had warned that the Israeli supporters would pose serious risks in Birmingham.
Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema wrote to MPs saying those claims were "nonsensical" and did not match the published accounts of the fixture in 2024.
The Home Affairs Committee has since demanded the full recordings of that meeting and the evidence used to justify the ban.
Dutch police have also been asked to give evidence directly to MPs, while Mr Guildford could be recalled for a third time to face a Select Committee grilling.
West Midlands Police is set to submit a "high volume" of material this week, but MPs warned that the force has already failed to explain holes in its evidence - despite two previous appearances before MPs.
Home Office reacts as Shabana Mahmood urged to take 'nuclear option'
A Home Office spokesman said in response to reports Shabana Mahmood has been urged to sack WMP chief Craig Guildford: "The Government has been clear throughout that we disagreed with the decision to ban away fans from the match in November.
"We should not be a country where we tell people to stay away from certain events because we cannot protect them, or they may be a victim of racism.
"That is why the Home Secretary asked the inspectorate to investigate how the decision was reached.
"We cannot comment further until the Home Secretary has received the chief inspectorate's findings and considered them."
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