Keir Starmer 'unequivocally condemns' threats made against Nigel Farage despite 'stoking violence'

Sir Keir Starmer has condemned death threats made against Reform UK leader Nigel Farage despite being accused of "inciting violence" against the party leader for weeks.

Fayaz Khan was jailed for five years this week after making a death threat against the Clacton MP in a TikTok video last year.

Addressing Mr Farage in the video, the Afghan migrant who has an AK-47 tattoo on his face, said: "I want to come to England to go pop pop pop."

Speaking at Prime Minister’s Questions today, Sir Keir said he wished to "condemn unequivocally" the threats made against Mr Farage.

He added: "Whatever our disagreements, we are all parliamentarians, and I won't stand for violence or threats against our democracy."

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Suella Braverman writes to PM demanding 'full public inquiry' into death of MP

Suella Braverman has written to Sir Keir Starmer calling for a "full public inquiry" into the murder of Sir David Amess MP on the anniversary of his death.

Father-of-five Sir David, aged 69, was hosting a surgery at a church in his Southend West constituency when he was attacked on October 15, 2021.

His killer, Ali Harbi Ali, had been referred to the Government’s counter-terror programme Prevent seven years earlier.

He was found guilty of Sir David’s murder after just 18 minutes of deliberation at the Old Bailey, and was handed a whole-life prison term in 2022.

Former home secretary Ms Braverman wrote to Sir Keir: "I am urging you in the strongest possible terms to reverse the Government’s insulting position and finally now commit to a full Public Inquiry into Sir David’s death.

"The Home Office has rightly opened Public Inquiries following other such national tragedies including The Nottingham Inquiry, established in February of this year and the Southport Inquiry in April.

"In July the Government opened an inquiry into the ‘Battle of Orgreave’ for events that took place over forty years ago but has failed to do the same for Sir David. Why?"

The letter added: "The Amess family feel ignored and that promises given by you to them have not been backed up with any action. It is simply disgraceful that a bereaved Member of Parliament’s family are being treated in this way."

Dominic Cummings claims China obtained 'extremely secret' Government data 

Dominic Cummings has claimed that China breached high level systems to obtain “vast amounts” of classified government information for years.

Boris Johnson’s former adviser said he and the then-prime minister were told about the breach in 2020 and that it involved so-called Strap material, a government classification for highly sensitive intelligence material.

He said that fundamental infrastructure for transferring sensitive data around the British state was compromised “for years”.

He did not say how the system had been breached but that he would be willing to share what he knew with MPs if they were to hold an inquiry.

Mr Cummings told The Times: “What I’m saying is that some Strap stuff was compromised and vast amounts of data classified as extremely secret and extremely dangerous for any foreign entity to control was compromised.

“Material from intelligence services. Material from the National Security Secretariat in the Cabinet Office. Things the government has to keep secret. If they’re not secret, then there are very, very serious implications for it.”

A Cabinet Office spokesman said: "It is untrue to claim that the systems we use to transfer the most sensitive government information have been compromised."

Angela Rayner's £17,000 severance pay after tax scandal 'outrageous', says Conservatives

Angela Rayner’s receipt of a ministerial severance payment of nearly £17,000 after quitting Government over her tax affairs has been branded “outrageous” by the Conservatives.

The former deputy prime minister resigned from her roles, including as housing secretary and deputy Labour leader last month after an independent ethics probe found she had breached the ministerial code over her underpayment of stamp duty on a seaside flat.

Ms Rayner had referred herself to the standards watchdog for investigation after she admitted she had paid as much as £40,000 less surcharge than she should have done on the purchase in May.

In September, she received the £16,876 severance pay Cabinet ministers are entitled to when leaving office. It is equivalent to a quarter of their annual ministerial salary.

It was before new Labour rules came into effect this week under which members of Government found to have committed a “serious breach” of the ministerial code would be expected to forgo or repay their “golden goodbye”.

Shadow housing secretary Sir James Cleverly said: “It’s outrageous Angela Rayner has been rewarded for dodging tax. Ordinary people’s tax money has been funneled straight into her pocket.

“We asked the Government about this in Parliament and they refused to answer the question. And now we know why: she’s getting a windfall that covers nearly half the tax bill she tried to avoid."

Rachel Reeves admits new tax hikes coming in just weeks as Labour frantically tries to fill £30billion black hole 

Rachel Reeves has admitted new tax hikes will be coming as part of her Autumn Budget.

It is the first time the Chancellor publicly confirmed tax rises are on the cards in the Budget, which she is set to deliver on November 26.

Ms Reeves is set to arrive in Washington DC today for talks at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) after it warned UK inflation is set to surge to the highest in the G7 in 2025 and 2026.

She hinted that relaxing fiscal rules was not an option and that as a result, tax rises would be essential.

She told Sky News: "I won't duck those challenges.

"Of course, we're looking at tax and spending as well," Ms Reeves added.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

WATCH: Dame Andrea Jenkyns speaks to GB News from Immingham about job cuts at the oil refinery

Liberal Democrats warn 'many questions to be answered' over China

Liberal Democrats deputy leader Daisy Cooper said she welcomed the "new level of transparency" from Sir Keir Starmer on the China spying case, but that there are "still many questions to be answered."

The St Albans MP said at Prime Minister’s Questions: "We welcome the new level of transparency from the Prime Minister, and we will scrutinise those witness statements closely.

"But it’s clear there are still many questions to be answered, including questions from Hong Kongers.

"Hong Kongers in St Albans and across the UK have settled in our communities after they have fled repression at the hands of the Chinese state.

"But now they see a British Government that wants to make it harder for Hong Kongers to settle here permanently, that refuses to impose targeted sanctions on Chinese officials who put bounties on Hong Kongers’ heads, that is refusing to rule out a Chinese super embassy, and is failing to tackle Chinese espionage.

"Hong Kongers are starting to ask whether the Prime Minister is trading away their security and safety in our communities for a cosier relationship with Beijing."

WATCH: Dramatic moment Labour MP is booted out of Westminster debate after furious row with Reform's Lee Anderson

A heated exchange in Westminster Hall this morning resulted in the removal of a Labour MP from the debating chamber.

Neil Coyle, who represents Bermondsey and Old Southwark, was ordered to leave by chair Esther McVey following his disruptive outburst during a speech by Reform UK's Lee Anderson.

The confrontation erupted whilst Mr Anderson, the member for Ashfield, was delivering remarks about London's knife crime situation.

Labour announces fresh sanctions against two biggest Russian oil companies

The Government has confirmed it will launch fresh sanctions against Russia's two largest oil companies.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves said: "We are introducing targeted sanctions against the two biggest oil companies in Russia, Lukoil and Rosneft.

"At the same time, we are ramping up pressure on companies in third countries, including India and China, that continue to facilitate getting Russia oil onto global markets."

She said there was "no place for Russia on global markets" and that Britain would take all necessary steps to stop Moscow from funding its war in Ukraine.

The new sanctions target 51 ships within the shadow fleet, as well as individuals and entities across sectors including energy and defence.

WATCH: Katherine Forster gives her analysis on the first post-conference season PMQs

James Cleverly accuses Keir Starmer of misquoting him over China

Sir James Cleverly said he has been misquoted on the previous government’s stance on China.

Raising a point of order during PMQs, the Conservative Shadow Housing Secretary said: "In the statement that the security minister made earlier this week, and then again, in answer to a question, I have been misquoted.

"It has been said that I, in a speech at Mansion House, said that describing China as a threat was impractical and, most importantly, unwise.

"The quote was that describing China as one word, or our policy in one word, is impossible, impractical and most importantly, unwise.

"I went on to say that our policy first, we will strengthen our national security protections wherever Beijing’s actions pose a threat to our people or prosperity.

"I finished by saying, and when there are tensions with other objectives, we will always put our national security first."

Keir Starmer says Labour did not give any direction to officials before China spy case

The Prime Minister has insisted the Government did not give any direction to officials before they gave evidence on the China spy case.

Former security minister and Tonbridge MP Tom Tugendhat said: "The lines that we’ve heard from the Government in recent days have been a conflation of fabricated stories trying to set up straw men and knock down things that have not been said.

"The real question in this whole debate is whether or not the (director of public prosecutions) charged legally and properly."

The former Tory leadership candidate said that if the DPP charged legally, then the Government’s talk of the National Security Act is "irrelevant."

He said: "Why is he (Sir Keir Starmer) not charging his successor with abuse of power? Although he has answered the question about evidence, the real question is, what political direction did this Government give to their officials before they went to give evidence?"

Sir Keir responded: “Absolutely none.

"I will also tell him this: I was the chief prosecutor for five years, and I can say, in those five years, which included three years under the coalition government, where we were taking difficult decisions on MPs’ expenses, not once was I subjected to political pressure of any sort from anyone.

"That is the tradition in this country; it is a proud tradition. It is one I uphold as prime minister, just as I upheld it when I was director of public prosecutions."

Keir Starmer blasts 'Kremlin cronies sowing division' in Reform UK swipe

Labour MP for Derbyshire Dales John Whitby asked Sir Keir Starmer about the conviction of Nathan Gill, the former Reform UK leader in Wales.

Mr Gill pleaded guilty to eight counts of bribery between December 6, 2018 and July 18, 2019, after he took money to make statements in favour of Russia while a Ukip Member of the European Parliament.

The Prime Minister says Reform UK has serious questions to answer about this, saying voters have a choice between "Kremlin cronies sowing division or Labour patriots working for national renewal."

Keir Starmer avoids question over property tax hikes

Sir Keir Starmer has dodged a question from a Conservative MP about property tax hikes in November's budget.

Responding to a question from Mid Leicestershire MP Peter Bedford, he said: "We're certainly not going to be following the leader of the opposition.

"She unveiled what she called her golden economic rule, I think it was.That involves, on the one hand, £47bn of spending cuts.

"That's a fifth of the NHS budget, with not a shred of detail about where the money would come from.

"More unfunded tax cuts, more austerity for public services. They haven't listened and they haven't learnt."

Liberal Democrats raise concerns after accusations Elon Musk funding Tommy Robinson's legal fees

Deputy Liberal Democrat leader Daisy Cooper asked Sir Keir Starmer to commission an investigation into the "threat that Elon Musk poses to our democracy."

It comes amid claims the billionare could be helping to pay Tommy Robinson's legal costs.

Ms Cooper, who is stepping in for Sir Ed Davey today as he is attending the funeral of former leader Menzies "Ming" Campbell, says it is "outrageous" if true.

Sir Keir said security services always assess risks but won’t comment on the specific case.

Plaid Cymru leader in Commons asks Keir Starmer why Labour are not campaigning in Caerphilly

The Prime Minister was asked by Plaid Cymru's leader in the Commons Liz Saville-Roberts why he is failing to campaign in Caerphilly, where a Senedd by-election takes place next week.

He responds by saying Welsh party Plaid Cymru "should be honest" about the cost of their policies.

He said independence would cost Welsh people £7,000 each.

Kemi Badenoch accuses Keir Starmer of 'answering no questions' over China

Kemi Badenoch has responded to Sir Keir Starmer’s statement at the beginning of Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) by saying it "answers no questions."

The Conservative Party leader told the Commons: "Exactly as I expected, the Prime Minister had to be dragged out at the top of PMQs to give a statement that answers no questions."

Mrs Badenoch later added: "He had to be dragged out to repeat only more obfuscation. It is simply unbelievable that he is trying to say the last government did not classify China as a threat."

She referred to several comments made in 2021 and 2024, attributed to the previous Conservative government, and added: "In 2022, the director general of MI5 in November classified China as a threat in his remarks.

"How is it possible that the Government failed to provide the evidence that the CPS needed to prosecute?"

Sir Keir replied: "The substantive evidence was provided in 2023 by the previous government. That is when the witness statement was submitted. I am going to disclose it, they will all be able to read it."

Keir Starmer accuses Kemi Badenoch of 'playing politics with national security'

Sir Keir Starmer has quoted Kemi Badenoch over China, accusing the Tory leader of "playing politics with national security."

The Prime Minister said: "The Leader of the Opposition was business secretary at the time in September ‘23 the Leader of the Opposition said, her words, September ‘23 the relevant year, her words, ‘we should certainly not be describing China as a foe’."

Mrs Badenoch responded that she later did describe China as a threat in the speech he cited, and added: "Those spies were charged under a Conservative government. They were let off under Labour."

Kemi Badenoch says Labour is 'too weak' to stand up to China

Kemi Badenoch said: "A serious case involving national security has collapsed because this Government is too weak to stand up to China."

Sir Keir Starmer hit back, saying the Tory leader's questions are "a pathetic spectacle."

Kemi Badenoch accuses Keir Starmer of 'obfuscation'

Kemi Badenoch has accused the Prime Minister of "more obfuscation" over the China spying case.

The Tory leader told the Commons: "It concerns us all that the case against two people spying on members of this house has collapsed. It is simply unbelievable.

"Exactly as I expected, the Prime Minister had to be dragged out at the top of PMQs to give a statement that answers no questions.

"We are talking about the security of this Parliament. He had to be dragged out to repeat only more obfuscation. It is simply unbelievable."

Keir Starmer confirms Government will publish Chinese witness statements

Sir Keir Starmer has confirmed Labour will publish the witness statements submitted to the Chinese espionage trial.

The Prime Minister told the Commons he has taken the decision to publish the evidence submitted to the CPS.

He told the Commons: "After legal advice, I have decided to publish the witness statements. Given the information contained, we will conduct a short process, but I want to make clear I intend to publish the witness statements in full."

Keir Starmer condemns death threats against Nigel Farage

The Prime Minister condemned death threats against Nigel Farage in the Commons.

Afghan national Fayaz Khan, whose real name is Fayaz Hosseini, was jailed for five years after threatening to kill the Reform UK leader.

Sir Keir Starmer said: "I want to take this opportunity to condemn unequivocally the death threats made against the honourable member for Clacton.

"I know the house will welcome the justice that has been done. Whatever our disagreements, we are all parliamentarians."

Sir Keir Starmer departs Downing Street ahead of PMQs showdown

Sir Keir Starmer has left Downing Street in his first Prime Minister's Questions clash with Kemi Badenoch since conference season concluded.

The Prime Minister will also take questions from Daisy Cooper, who is representing the Liberal Democrats today.

We'll be bringing you all the updates from the Commons both here on the live blog and on PMQs Live with Gloria De Piero and Tom Harwood.

Senior Labour source admits Green Party is a 'real threat' under Zack Polanski

A senior Labour source has warned Zack Polanski poses a "real threat" to the party as the Greens start to close the gap in the polls.

The party's membership has surged to 110,000, a rise of 55 per cent since Mr Polanski’s landslide leadership election last month.

One Labour source told the New Statesman: "[Mr] Polanski is a real threat" adding that the old assumption that "these people have nowhere else to go" no longer holds.

Mr Polanski said: "People are ready to feel hope again...they say they’re responding to the fact there’s a politician boldly saying what they stand for and what the party stands for and what we stand against."

WATCH: Neil O'Brien says he 'doesn't buy for a second' that Labour will get tough on immigration

British Library workers to strike in pay dispute

Workers at the British Library are to strike in a dispute over pay.

The Public and Commercial Services union (PCS) said more than 300 of its members at the site in London will walk out from October 27 to November 9 after voting by 98 per cent in favour of industrial action.

The union said the workers faced a second consecutive year of a below-inflation pay rise.

PCS general secretary Fran Heathcote said: “A near unanimous vote for strike action is just a small glimpse into the strength of feeling among our members at the British Library.

WATCH: James Murray offers preview to Autumn Budget

Mega-poll shows 'remarkable fall from grace' for Conservatives

A new mega-poll that puts the Conservatives on just seven MPs shows a 'remarkable fall from grace' for the Tories.

PLMR Chief Executive Kevin Craig told the Daily Mail: "The electorate is demanding action on the economy first and foremost, with concerns around immigration and the NHS still present.

"Traditional party loyalties are under unprecedented pressure."

READ THE FULL STORY HERE.

WATCH: Senior Tory MP Neil O' Brien slams Rachel Reeves over tax rises

Treasury official says Labour is doing 'everything we can' to bring down inflation

A senior Treasury official has told GB News Labour is doing "everything we can" to bring down inflation ahead of the Budget in November.

Chief Secretary to the Treasury James Murray told GB News: "I know people across country struggling to make ends meet and that's why for as a government we are doing everything we can to bring down inflation and put more money in people's pockets.

"Budgets always include positions on taxation and spending and for us, it includes growth...My job is to make sure we keep a tight grip on the economy."

Katie Amess accuses Keir Starmer of 'refusing inquiry' four years on from Sir David Amess's murder

Katie Amess has accused Sir Keir Starmer of 'refusing inquiry' four years on from the murder of her father, Sir David Amess.

Sir David, who was the Conservative MP for Southend West, was murdered by Islamist Ali Harbi Ali during a constituency surgery in 2021.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE.

Mel Stride hits out at Labour's 'doom loop' politics

Sir Mel Stride has warned that Labour has plunged Britain into a "doom loop" ahead of November's budget.

The Shadow Chancellor said: "Rachel Reeves doesn’t need to raise taxes. She needs to get a grip of Government spending, including the welfare bill.

"Be in no doubt, this tax doom loop is down to the Chancellor’s economic mismanagement.

"Under Rachel Reeves we have seen inflation double, debt balloon, borrowing costs at a 27-year high, and taxes up, with more pain on the way in the autumn."

New mega-poll has Reform set for the biggest Commons majority in modern political history

Reform UK would win the biggest political landslide in modern British political history, according to a bombshell new mega-poll.

In the new poll, Nigel Farage's party would win 445 seats, with Labour down to 73 MPs and the Conservatives almost wiped out on just seven MPs.

The Liberal Democrats would also suffer heavy losses, down to 42 MPs from 72.

It is the first poll to include Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana's Your Party, with the insurgent hard-left party on 13 seats.

The SNP would see gains, going from nine MPs to 41, with the Green Party going from four MPs to six.

The seat-by-seat MRP poll was carried out by communications firm PLMR with Electoral Calculus, reports the Daily Mail.

Conservative shadow minister said he 'doesn't buy for a second' Labour's immigration plans

A senior Conservative shadow minister said he "doesn't buy for a second" the Government will get tough on immigration.

Neil O'Brien, the MP for Harborough, Oadby and Wigston told GB News Breakfast: "It's just tough talk and no substance."

Royal Mail fined £21 MILLION by watchdog over millions of late letter deliveries

Royal Mail has been fined £21million for missing its annual first and second class mail delivery targets.

Millions of letters arrived late across the UK, leading to Royal Mail being slapped with the third-largest fine ever imposed by Ofcom.

The delivery giant delivered 77 per cent of first class mail and 92.5 per cent of second class mail on time during the 2024-25 financial year, Ofcom found.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE.

Keir Starmer and Kemi Badenoch to go head-to-head for first PMQs since conference season

Sir Keir Starmer and Kemi Badenoch will be facing off for the first Prime Minister's Questions for the first time in more than a month.

As Parliament returns to normality from recess, we'll be bringing you the live updates across GB News, both here on the live blog and on PMQs Live.

Gloria and Chris will be joined from 12pm by Labour MP for Bassetlaw Jo White and Reform UK councilor Laila Cunningham.

Shabana Mahmood to admit UK has lost control of its borders

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is set to tell a summit of her international counterparts that failures on migration are eroding trust in politicians.

Ms Mahmood is hosting a summit of interior ministers from the Balkans in London later today.

She is expected to say "failure to bring order to our borders is eroding trust not just in us as political leaders...but in the credibility of the state itself."

Nigel Farage eyes up by-election bonanza as 10 seats up for grabs on Super Thursday

A bumper set of 10 local by-elections is taking place across the country tomorrow, as a series of tight electoral battles will provide tests for all the major party leaders.

There are four Liberal Democrat defences, two Labour defences, one defence each of the SNP, Greens, Conservatives and a local party.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE.