7 h. ago What are the legal issues around Britain helping Trump bomb Iran?

Keir Starmer is weighing up whether to back the US and – as a lawyer – will be aware of the legal landscapeMiddle East crisis – live updatesUK politics live – latest updatesAs Keir Starmer considers whether Britain should support the US if Donald Trump decides to bomb Iran, the attorney general, Richard Hermer, has reportedly warned him that UK involvement could be illegal. The prime minister was an outspoken opponent of the Iraq war when he was a human rights lawyer in 2003 and will be well aware of the thorny legal issues around engagement in strikes against Iran. Continue reading...

Politics

8 h. ago Ministers urged to publish legal advice on UK involvement in Israel

Calls follow news that attorney general advised government to limit its involvement to defending alliesUK politics live – latest updatesMiddle East crisis – live updatesMinisters are facing calls to publish legal advice given to the government on Israel’s war against Iran after reports emerged that the attorney general had warned that any UK involvement beyond defensive support would be illegal.Richard Hermer, the government’s most senior legal officer, is said to have raised concerns internally about the legality of joining a bombing campaign against Iran. Continue reading...

Politics

10 h. ago Tories say they would support UK joining fight against Iran if Starmer deems it necessary – UK politics live

Iran must not be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons, shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel said.Campaigners from trade unions, voluntary organisations and the Church of Scotland have announced plans for an anti-poverty march to “demand better” from politicians in Scotland, reports the PA news agency.The campaign, Scotland Demands Better, will culminate in a march in Edinburgh on 25 October, walking from the Scottish parliament, up the Royal Mile and along George IV Bridge to The Meadows.Change for the better happens when people stand together and demand it. Scotland desperately needs that change.Too many of us are being cut off from life’s essentials. Too many are frightened of what the future will bring. Too many of us are feeling tired, angry, isolated, and disillusioned.Air pollution remains the most important environmental threat to health, with impacts throughout the life course.It is an area of health where the UK has made substantial progress in the last three decades, with con...

Politics

26 h. ago Fed keeps rates unchanged after Trump knocks chairman Jerome Powell – live

The Federal Reserve holds interest rates steady and policymakers signal borrowing costs are still likely to fall this yearRussian deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov warned on Wednesday that direct US military assistance to Israel could radically destabilise the situation in the Middle East, where an air war between Israel and Iran has raged for six days.In separate comments, the head of Russia’s SVR foreign intelligence service, Sergei Naryshkin, was quoted as saying that the situation between Israel and Iran was now critical. Continue reading...

Politics

28 h. ago Majority of Trump supporters against US military involvement in Israel

Findings reinforce public appetite for peaceful resolution to aim of forcing Iran to give up ambitions of acquiring nuclear weaponsUS politics live – latest updatesA majority of supporters of Donald Trump are against US military involvement in Israel’s conflict with Iran, a poll published Wednesday found, reflecting a growing Republican backlash to the president’s threats to utilize American firepower.A wide ranging Economist/YouGov poll conducted over the weekend revealed that 53% of voters who backed Trump in the 2024 presidential election do not want the country to join in Israel’s strikes. Continue reading...

Politics

28 h. ago Most Trump supporters want to keep US military out of Israel

Findings show public appetite for peaceful approach to aim of forcing Iran to give up ambition of acquiring nuclear armsUS politics live – latest updatesA majority of supporters of Donald Trump are against US military involvement in Israel’s conflict with Iran, a poll published on Wednesday found, reflecting a growing Republican backlash to the president’s threats to utilize American firepower.A wide-ranging Economist/YouGov poll conducted over the weekend revealed that 53% of voters who backed Trump in the 2024 presidential election do not want the country to join in Israel’s strikes. Continue reading...

Politics

29 h. ago Tucker Carlson confronts Ted Cruz on Iran as Maga rift erupts into public view

Public spat reflects fracture among Trump’s coalition over whether US should join Israel’s escalating conflict with IranUS politics live – latest updatesTed Cruz, the US senator from Texas, and conservative media personality Tucker Carlson have clashed over US military involvement in the Middle East, with the latter shouting: “You don’t know anything about Iran!” in a heated interview that exposes a sharp division within Donald Trump’s coalition as the president considers joining Israel in attacking Iran.In the confrontation, a short excerpt released ahead of an approximately two-hour interview set to air today, Carlson – an acolyte of the Maga movement which generally argues for American isolationism from foreign wars – challenged Cruz’s knowledge of Iran, which the Republican hawk has advocated attacking. Continue reading...

Politics

29 h. ago Justice Sotomayor dissents US supreme court decision that ‘authorizes untold harm to transgender children’ – live

Justice Sonia Sotomayor says decision ‘does irrevocable damage to the Equal Protection Clause’ and ‘invites legislatures to engage in discrimination’US supreme court upholds ban on youth gender-affirming careRussian deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov warned on Wednesday that direct US military assistance to Israel could radically destabilise the situation in the Middle East, where an air war between Israel and Iran has raged for six days.In separate comments, the head of Russia’s SVR foreign intelligence service, Sergei Naryshkin, was quoted as saying that the situation between Israel and Iran was now critical. Continue reading...

Society

30 h. ago DWP says transitional payments scheme for those losing Pip ‘one of most generous ever’ – UK politics live

Department for Work and Pensions publishes text of bill cutting benefits and claims three-month transitional period is ‘one of most generous ever’Angela Rayner, the deputy PM, will be taking PMQs shortly. And she will be up against Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary.When Kemi Badenoch became Tory leader, she did not appoint a deputy (or even a “de factor deputy”, a post that has existed in Tory politics in recent years) and she said she would decide who would stand in for her at PMQs on a case by case basis. Alex Burghart, the shadow Cabinet Office minister, got the gig the first time Starmer was away.Chris Philp follows Alex Burghart in rotating for Kemi Badenoch at PMQs. One Westminster wag asks “When is it going to be Robert Jenrick’s turn?”We have this profound challenge of the number of people joining the armed forces being outweighed by the outflow the people leaving. So ultimately its about retention.And the number one issue reason cited in last month’s attitude survey fo...

Politics

32 h. ago PMQs: Rayner signals UK would not join any US attack on Iran – UK politics live

Deputy prime minister says government seeking a diplomatic approachAngela Rayner, the deputy PM, will be taking PMQs shortly. And she will be up against Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary.When Kemi Badenoch became Tory leader, she did not appoint a deputy (or even a “de factor deputy”, a post that has existed in Tory politics in recent years) and she said she would decide who would stand in for her at PMQs on a case by case basis. Alex Burghart, the shadow Cabinet Office minister, got the gig the first time Starmer was away.Chris Philp follows Alex Burghart in rotating for Kemi Badenoch at PMQs. One Westminster wag asks “When is it going to be Robert Jenrick’s turn?”We have this profound challenge of the number of people joining the armed forces being outweighed by the outflow the people leaving. So ultimately its about retention.And the number one issue reason cited in last month’s attitude survey for the armed forces for leaving was family life. We know the quality of housing ...

Politics

32 h. ago UK politics live: Rayner says £1m a day was wasted under Tories’ failed immigration plans in fiery PMQs clash

Transport secretary Heidi Alexander accused the Tories of an ‘appalling mess’ over the delayed rail project

Politics

33 h. ago UK politics live: Rayner and Philp in fiery PMQs clash as Tories accused of ‘losing control’ of immigration

Transport secretary Heidi Alexander will accuse the Tories of an ‘appalling mess’ over the delayed rail project

Politics

33 h. ago PMQs: Angela Rayner and Chris Philp clash over migration – UK politics live

Deputy prime minister and shadow home secretary clash over Conservatives’ Rwanda scheme and small boat arrivalsAngela Rayner, the deputy PM, will be taking PMQs shortly. And she will be up against Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary.When Kemi Badenoch became Tory leader, she did not appoint a deputy (or even a “de factor deputy”, a post that has existed in Tory politics in recent years) and she said she would decide who would stand in for her at PMQs on a case by case basis. Alex Burghart, the shadow Cabinet Office minister, got the gig the first time Starmer was away.Chris Philp follows Alex Burghart in rotating for Kemi Badenoch at PMQs. One Westminster wag asks “When is it going to be Robert Jenrick’s turn?”We have this profound challenge of the number of people joining the armed forces being outweighed by the outflow the people leaving. So ultimately its about retention.And the number one issue reason cited in last month’s attitude survey for the armed forces for leaving was ...

Politics

33 h. ago PMQs watch LIVE: Angela Rayner slaps down top Tory for doing 'absolutely nothing' on grooming gangs

Angela Rayner rebuffed Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp's call for an apology for the PM hitting out at far-right 'poison' earlier this year

Events

34 h. ago UK politics live: Angela Rayner to face Chris Philp in PMQs clash after Labour attacks Tories over HS2 failings

Transport secretary Heidi Alexander will accuse the Tories of an ‘appalling mess’ over the delayed rail project

Events

35 h. ago Trump overseeing a ‘fascist regime’ says Brad Lander after arrest – US politics live

New York City mayoral candidate warns administration could ‘undermine the rule of law’ after incident at immigration courtNew York City mayoral candidate released from custodyIsrael’s war on Iran appeared to be approaching a pivotal moment on Tuesday night after five days of bombing and retaliatory Iranian missile strikes, as Donald Trump demanded “unconditional surrender” from Tehran and weighed his military options.Trump convened a meeting of his national security team in the White House situation room after a day of febrile rhetoric in which the president gave sharply conflicting signals over whether US forces would participate directly in Israel’s bombing campaign over Iran. Continue reading...

Politics

35 h. ago UK politics live: Labour attacks Tories over ‘appalling mess’ of HS2 with billions wasted and delays past 2033

Transport secretary Heidi Alexander will also address allegations of fraud by contractors

Politics

47 h. ago New York mayoral candidate Brad Lander released after arrest sparks outcry – US politics live

New York politicians condemn arrest as ‘fascism’ and ‘political intimidation’New York’s Brad Lander arrested at immigration court hearingA memorial outside the Minnesota house chambers displays a photo of Melissa and Mark Hortman behind a table where people are dropping off flowers, notes, a hard hat, a plaid shirt. Signs in front of it read “in honor of our beloved Melissa”. On her desk, a photo and a bouquet of roses.On Monday afternoon, the skies darkened, spilling sheets of rain across the Minneapolis suburbs Melissa Hortman represented. Continue reading...

Politics

50 h. ago MPs back bill to end criminal penalties for abortion in key vote

Parliament votes on biggest shake-up to reproductive rights in England and Wales in 60 yearsCasey says in the past government has talked relentlessly about the need for better data sharing between departments.But she says there is a need to consider making this mandatory.I was there when the tragedy of Soham happened. We knew at that point that if we had had better data sharing there’s a possibility that we might have saved those girls’ lives. There’s certaintly an absolute clarity that intelligence would have been much faster in either avoiding it or or actually finding that dreadful human being earlier.And we’ve known that forever onwards. And so I think there is also an issue that the Home Office can’t drag their feet on, looking at police intelligence systems, given we’ve living in the 21st century. Probably everbody in this room can connect within seconds. Yet we had Befordshire police finding a young boy that was being, in my mind trafficked to London. But the data intelligenc...

Politics

51 h. ago Top New York official Brad Lander’s arrest is ‘fascism’, says mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani – US politics live

Arrest by masked federal agents at a New York immigration court draws immediate condemnationA memorial outside the Minnesota house chambers displays a photo of Melissa and Mark Hortman behind a table where people are dropping off flowers, notes, a hard hat, a plaid shirt. Signs in front of it read “in honor of our beloved Melissa”. On her desk, a photo and a bouquet of roses.On Monday afternoon, the skies darkened, spilling sheets of rain across the Minneapolis suburbs Melissa Hortman represented. Continue reading...

Politics