80 m. ago No 10 says Starmer has confidence in Morgan McSweeney after PM condemns attacks on cabinet members – UK politics live

PM’s spokesperson says he has confidence in his chief of staff after Starmer challenged over ‘toxic culture’ at Downing StreetThe No 10 briefing row is not the only story around this morning. Amy Sedghi is writing a live blog about the ongoing turmoil at the BBC and she has details of Donald Trump saying he has an “obligation” to sue the BBC.In a related development, Reform UK has pulled out of a BBC documentary about the party amid a row over the broadcaster’s editing of the Trump speech. Robyn Vintner has the story. Continue reading...

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2 h. ago Keir Starmer says any No 10 briefings against ministers ‘unacceptable’

Starmer defends Wes Streeting at PMQs but dodges question on his chief of staff, Morgan McSweeneyUK politics live – latest updatesKeir Starmer has condemned as “completely unacceptable” any briefings against cabinet ministers from inside Downing Street as he tried desperately to close a rift at the top of government.Questioned by Kemi Badenoch at prime minister’s questions, Starmer defended Wes Streeting, the health secretary, who was the apparent target of a pre-emptive No 10 push against a feared imminent leadership challenge against the prime minister. Continue reading...

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2 h. ago Keir Starmer's chief of staff branded 'toast' after toxic No 10 briefing against Wes Streeting backfires

The knives were out for Morgan McSweeney after a senior No 10 source claimed the health secretary was planning an 'imminent coup' against the Prime Minister.

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2 h. ago POLL OF THE DAY: Should Starmer fire the political aides behind 'Traitors' coup briefing?

Keir Starmer has faced demands to sack his closest aide for a bungled bid to kill off Labour leadership threats - amid speculation of a leadership challenge.

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3 h. ago Humiliated Starmer admits No10 briefing war against Cabinet minister is 'unacceptable' as he dodges on demands to SACK chief aide Morgan McSweeney

Keir Starmer supporters made clear he will fight any leadership challenge in an extraordinary pre-emptive strike on plotters.

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3 h. ago BREAKING: Keir Starmer breaks silence on 'completely unacceptable' attacks against Wes Streeting

Prime Minister Keir Starmer insists 'any attack on any member of my Cabinet is completely unacceptable' amid leadership plotting briefings targeting Wes Streeting

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3 h. ago Starmer condemns ‘unacceptable’ attack on Streeting amid leadership row

Health Secretary Wes Streeting has called for heads to roll in No 10 over suggestions he was plotting to oust Sir Keir Starmer.

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4 h. ago 'Since when is a clown racist?': Robert Jenrick blasts back after Labour MP lodges formal complaint about AI video of Cabinet minister David Lammy in circus costume

The senior Tory said it was 'ridiculous' that he is facing a possible standards probe over his sharing of an AI-generated video of Justice Secretary David Lammy .

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5 h. ago UK Cabinet minister denies plotting to oust embattled leader Starmer

Britain's Health Secretary Wes Streeting has denied plotting to oust Prime Minister Keir Starmer

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7 h. ago Streeting rules out bid to challenge Starmer amid ‘unhelpful’ briefing war

The Health Secretary’s comments follow a flurry of late-night briefings from Number 10 in which allies of Sir Keir came out fighting on his behalf.

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13 h. ago Ukraine war briefing: Top banker’s straight talk to Putin over troubled economy

Sberbank head German Gref gives unusually frank assessment; Zaporizhzhia situation has ‘significantly worsened’, says Syrskyi. What we know on day 1,358 Continue reading...

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15 h. ago Keir Starmer to face PMQs amid claims of potential challenge to his leadership

The Prime Minister will face MPs after a briefing war emerged on Tuesday night in an attempt to see off supposed challenges to his authority.

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30 h. ago Bel Trew answers your questions: From aid shortages in Gaza to morale in the Israeli military

Chief international correspondent Bel Trew answers your questions on Gaza’s aid crisis, the fragile ceasefire, regional power dynamics, and morale in the Israeli military

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37 h. ago Ukraine war briefing: battle for Pokrovsk ‘raging on’ as Russia claims advance on town to east

Kyiv says Moscow’s forces carrying out ‘fast manoeuvres’ in push for key city, while sides give conflicting reports of combat around Myrnohrad. What we know on day 1,357See all our Russia-Ukraine war coverage Continue reading...

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61 h. ago Ukraine war briefing: Lavrov reappears, ready to offer Marco Rubio same demands

Ukraine answers Russia’s strikes on energy grid; Zelenskyy tells the Guardian that King Charles eased Trump tensions. What we know on day 1,356 Continue reading...

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3 d. ago Cabinet minister Lisa Nandy admits prison release blunders are WORSE under Labour

The Culture Secretary said it was 'completely unacceptable' that the crisis had got worse since last year's general election.

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4 d. ago Ukraine war briefing: Russia unleashes attack on energy infrastructure, triggering power cuts

Ukrainian minister says Moscow is ‘massively attacking’ grid; Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Russian troops gathering near north-eastern city. What we know on day 1,354See all our Russia-Ukraine war coverage Continue reading...

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5 d. ago David Lammy faces Cabinet backlash over prisoner release row as Deputy PM is branded 'incompetent' and 'cowardly' by his fellow ministers

The Justice Secretary has been blasted by fellow ministers over his refusal to answer questions in the House of Commons about the release of an Algerian national.

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5 d. ago Prime Minister's perfect storm: Keir Starmer faces cabinet split over tax hikes as prison blunders row rages

Labour’s new deputy leader Lucy Powell says the Government ‘should be following through’ on its manifesto pledge on not raising key taxes

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5 d. ago Ukraine war briefing: Ukrainian court jails Russian soldier for killing PoW in landmark sentence

The soldier is the first to be jailed for such a crime after being found guilty of shooting dead a Ukrainian soldier who had surrendered in Zaporizhzhia region. What we know on day 1,353See all our Russia-Ukraine war coverageA Ukrainian court has sentenced a Russian soldier to life in prison after finding him guilty of killing a Ukrainian prisoner of war – the first time Ukraine has jailed a suspect on such charges. The court in the south-eastern city of Zaporizhzhia found Dmitry Kurashov, 27, guilty of shooting dead Vitalii Hodniuk, a Ukrainian soldier who had surrendered in January 2024 when his dugout was captured by Russian forces. Kurashov, who was taken prisoner by Ukrainian forces along with other Russian troops soon after and pleaded guilty in court, although he later told reporters he was innocent and wanted to be exchanged in a prisoner swap. He told Reuters after the ruling on Thursday that he did not plan to appeal. The Ukrainian prosecutor general’s office said criminal...

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