46 h. ago Grooming gangs inquiry will never be watered down, home secretary says, after survivors resign from panel – UK politics live

Keir Starmer likely to face PMQs grilling on claims the inquiry has descended into ‘chaos’Good morning. One of the reasons why Shabana Mahmood was appointed home secretary was because, as justice secretary, when the Tories came at her with a “two-tier justice” attack line that was being enthusiastically embraced by the rightwing media, she saw them off swiftly and effectively (essentially, by coopting the argument and responding). Today she is performing a similar rebuttal operation on the grooming gangs inquiry, which is another area where the Daily Mail/GB News etc are on the warpath and the government is floundering.Here is the Mail’s splash.We are progressing as swiftly as thoroughness allows. Misinformation undermines this process. Allegations of intentional delay, lack of interest and a widening or dilution of the inquiry’s scope are false.It was with a heavy heart, in recent days, I learnt that some members have decided to step away from the group. Should they wish to return,...

Society

3 d. ago Ministers to respond to Commons urgent questions on China spy case and Maccabi Tel Aviv fans ban – UK politics live

Home Office minister to respond to UQ from Chris Philp about the China spy case before question on Maccabi Tel Aviv fansThere will be two urgent questions in the Commons this afternoon, followed by a statement. Here is the running order.3.30pm: A Home Office minister will respond to a UQ from Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary, about the China spy case.The family of Virginia Giuffre, whose life was destroyed, are angry and aghast. The public across these isles are angry and aghast and they both deserve to know that some MPs share their outrage.So I won’t sit silent. If an act of parliament is required to strip the likes of Peter Mandelson and Prince Andrew of their titles then there can be no justification from this Labour government as to why that is not immediately happening.Public funds, police protection and royal privilege have long buffered Prince Andrew from the consequences of his actions. And we’ve paid for all this.I will support any efforts to hold royals to the same ...

Politics

7 d. ago Chilling moment Manchester synagogue attacker sets off from home on his way to kill

The 35-year-old is filmed emerging out of Langley Crescent, Prestwich, before joining Old Bury Road in his Black Kia Picanto on October 2.

Events

1 week ago Starmer accused of pushing out some of last progressive allies in No 10 shake

Exclusive: PM reorganising key parts of government to give chief secretary Darren Jones more Whitehall control• UK politics live – latest updatesKeir Starmer has been accused of pushing some of his last remaining progressive allies out of government as he embarks on another shake-up of his Downing Street operation designed to empower his chief secretary, Darren Jones.The prime minister is overseeing a reorganisation of several key parts of his government, including the delivery and policy units, to refocus the policy work and give Jones more direct control of the machinery of government. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Synagogue killer rang 999 pledging Islamic State allegiance during attack

Police also said Jihad Al-Shamie was not known to either the Government’s anti-radicalisation programme Prevent or to counter-terror police.

Events

2 w. ago Manchester terrorist called 999 during synagogue attack and told operator: 'I have killed two Jews in name of ISIS'

Hate-filled synagogue terrorist Jihad al-Shamie's voice was revealed for the first time by a woman he wed in an Islamic ceremony - despite already being a married father.

Events

2 w. ago Tory plan to abolish stamp duty ‘will benefit London and the wealthiest the most’ – UK politics live

The Social Market Foundation thinktank says council tax reform and a property-based tax would be more sustainable and fairerVoting in the Labour deputy leadership election opens today. Lucy Powell, the former Commons leader, is seen as the favourite and, as Jessica Elgot reports, Powell told supporters yesterday that, if she is elected, she will use the post to argue for changes in the way the government is operating. “We can’t sugarcoat the fact that things aren’t going well,” she said.Powell is no longer a government minister and, if she is elected deputy leader, she will do the job from the backbenches. In an interview on Newsnight last night, Bridget Phillipson, the education secretary standing against Powell, said a Powell victory would be “destabilising” for the party. She said:[Electing Powell] risks destabilising the party we best achieve what we need to do together when we have those fierce conversations, including disagreements, behind closed doors.Members need to understa...

Politics

2 w. ago Tories would abolish stamp duty, Badenoch tells party conference – UK politics live

Party leader says measure is a ‘bad tax’ and scrapping it would free up the housing market and improve social mobilityVoting in the Labour deputy leadership election opens today. Lucy Powell, the former Commons leader, is seen as the favourite and, as Jessica Elgot reports, Powell told supporters yesterday that, if she is elected, she will use the post to argue for changes in the way the government is operating. “We can’t sugarcoat the fact that things aren’t going well,” she said.Powell is no longer a government minister and, if she is elected deputy leader, she will do the job from the backbenches. In an interview on Newsnight last night, Bridget Phillipson, the education secretary standing against Powell, said a Powell victory would be “destabilising” for the party. She said:[Electing Powell] risks destabilising the party we best achieve what we need to do together when we have those fierce conversations, including disagreements, behind closed doors.Members need to understand tha...

Politics

2 w. ago Politics latest: Kemi Badenoch delivers keynote conference speech amid Tory coup speculation

Conservative leader will try to win back support in face of discontent and mass defection of councillors to Reform

Politics

2 w. ago Politics latest: Tory coup speculation overshadows Kemi Badenoch’s keynote conference speech

Conservative leader will try to win back support in face of discontent and mass defection of councillors to Reform

Politics

2 w. ago ‘Not words that I would have used’: Stride distances himself from Jenrick’s ‘no white faces’ comments – UK politics live

Shadow chancellor distances himself from words after Robert Jenrick accused of racism in comments he made about Handsworth Asked about the Jenrick story, Badenoch again suggests Guardian reporting is reliable.Q: Jenrick was making a distinction between white faces and brown faces. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Jenrick accused of racism over ‘no white faces’ comments and his attack on judges labelled ‘serious mistake’ – UK politics live

Labour mayor of the West Midlands says Jenrick’s comments about Handsworth were racistAsked about the Jenrick story, Badenoch again suggests Guardian reporting is reliable.Q: Jenrick was making a distinction between white faces and brown faces. Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago Jenrick accused of racism over ‘no white faces’ comments as he also claims ‘collapse of old order is in sight’ – UK politics live

Labour mayor of the West Midlands says Jenrick’s comments about Handsworth were racistAsked about the Jenrick story, Badenoch again suggests Guardian reporting is reliable.Q: Jenrick was making a distinction between white faces and brown faces. Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago Jenrick addresses Tory conference after being accused of racism over ‘no white faces’ comments about Birmingham – UK politics live

Labour mayor of the West Midlands says Jenrick’s comments were racist because he focused on colour to make negative point about HandsworthAsked about the Jenrick story, Badenoch again suggests Guardian reporting is reliable.Q: Jenrick was making a distinction between white faces and brown faces. Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago Volunteer synagogue security guard who confronted terrorist before deadly attack reveals how killer tried to say he was 'looking for his car'

Ivor Rosenberg, 78, was volunteering as a security guard at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation when Jihad Al-Shamie, 35, launched the fatal attack which killed two worshippers

Events

2 w. ago Man killed during Manchester synagogue attack hailed as hero at funeral

Adrian Daulby, who was accidentally shot by police as he stopped attacker entering synagogue, is buried in SalfordA man who was killed while stopping a knife-wielding attacker from entering a Manchester synagogue last week was described as a “tremendously strong hero” at his funeral.Adrian Daulby, 53, was buried at a religious ceremony at Agecroft Jewish cemetery in Salford on Monday. Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago Term ‘disabled’ being used too widely, shadow work and pensions secretary says – UK politics live

Helen Whateley says ‘millions are sitting on the sofa at home’Mel Stride, the shadow chancellor, was doing an interview round for the Conservatives this morning, and Miatta Fahnbulleh, the faith and communities minister, was on the air on behalf of the government. They were both asked about the latest development in the flag phenomenon – the former footballer turned property developer Gary Neville saying that he took down a union flag flying at one of his building sites because he felt it was being used in a “negative fashion”.Asked if Neville (a Labour supporter) had a point, Fahnbulleh told ITV’s Good Morning Britain:I think he’s really right, that there are people who are trying to divide us at the moment I spent a lot of time going around our communities, talking to people. People are ground down. We’ve had a decade-and-a-half in which living standards haven’t budged and people have seen their communities held down. And you will get people trying to stoke division, trying to bla...

Politics

2 w. ago Victims killed in synagogue terror attack formally identified

Two victims were killed following a terror attack by Jihad Al-Shamie outside the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue

Events

2 w. ago Tory plan to scrap green energy measures called ‘contradictory nonsense’ by environment groups – UK politics live

Shadow energy secretary’s plans dismissed as ‘dead wrong’ by environment groupsMel Stride, the shadow chancellor, was doing an interview round for the Conservatives this morning, and Miatta Fahnbulleh, the faith and communities minister, was on the air on behalf of the government. They were both asked about the latest development in the flag phenomenon – the former footballer turned property developer Gary Neville saying that he took down a union flag flying at one of his building sites because he felt it was being used in a “negative fashion”.Asked if Neville (a Labour supporter) had a point, Fahnbulleh told ITV’s Good Morning Britain:I think he’s really right, that there are people who are trying to divide us at the moment I spent a lot of time going around our communities, talking to people. People are ground down. We’ve had a decade-and-a-half in which living standards haven’t budged and people have seen their communities held down. And you will get people trying to stoke divisi...

Politics

2 w. ago ‘First job bonus’ worth £5k planned for young people, Stride tells Tory conference – UK politics live

Shadow chancellor sets out spending plans as party conference continues in ManchesterMel Stride, the shadow chancellor, was doing an interview round for the Conservatives this morning, and Miatta Fahnbulleh, the faith and communities minister, was on the air on behalf of the government. They were both asked about the latest development in the flag phenomenon – the former footballer turned property developer Gary Neville saying that he took down a union flag flying at one of his building sites because he felt it was being used in a “negative fashion”.Asked if Neville (a Labour supporter) had a point, Fahnbulleh told ITV’s Good Morning Britain:I think he’s really right, that there are people who are trying to divide us at the moment I spent a lot of time going around our communities, talking to people. People are ground down. We’ve had a decade-and-a-half in which living standards haven’t budged and people have seen their communities held down. And you will get people trying to stoke ...

Politics