Politics

A mosque in South Wales that hosted Sir Keir Starmer has apologised for the “hurt and confusion” caused by the visit after a backlash from some within the Muslim community. The South Wales Islamic Centre issued a statement late on Tuesday evening in which it sought to “clarify our stance” following the Labour leader’s visit

A former Tory MP failed to declare where he received £39,000 in political donations from, a crown court jury has heard. David Mackintosh, who represented Northampton South between 2015 and 2017, is alleged to have accepted three donations of £10,000 and six of £1,500 that were made in an allegedly “underhand way”, Warwick Crown Court

The government will stop using 50 hotels for asylum seekers by January, Sky News understands. Ministers are expected to make the announcement as they continue attempts to reduce the amount of money being spent on accommodation that houses people waiting for a decision on their applications. But many hotels will still be in use –

The commissioner of the Metropolitan Police says laws for tackling extremism may need to be redrawn in light of pro-Palestinian protests around the Israel-Hamas war. Sir Mark Rowley said it was for politicians to decide on “the line of the law” and for the police to enforce it. However, he said recent events were “illustrating

The home secretary will challenge the commissioner of the Metropolitan Police over the force’s decision not to arrest pro-Palestine protesters calling for “jihad” against Israel. Suella Braverman will tell Sir Mark Rowley later “there can be no place for incitement to hatred or violence” on UK streets and police should “crackdown on anyone breaking the

Chanting jihad on the streets of London is “completely reprehensible”, immigration minister Robert Jenrick has told Sky News – as he confirmed terror arrests have been made in the UK since the start of the Israel-Hamas war. Speaking to Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips today, Mr Jenrick said “we want to make sure that the

The prime minister has warned the Israel-Hamas war risks unleashing a “contagion of conflict” across the Middle East.  Rishi Sunak, who met with leaders in Israel, Saudi Arabia and Egypt this week, said they had agreed “we need to do everything possible” to stop the spread of the war. He said his two-day visit to

Minimum service levels are set to be introduced in schools and colleges to minimise disruption for pupils during strike action – but it will be based on voluntary agreement with trade unions. The government has announced the measures following a series of strikes by teachers and school leaders this year that forced some schools to

Greg Hands has said he will not resign as Conservative Party chair despite the government suffering another two by-election defeats in safe Tory seats. Mr Hands said the results in Tamworth and Mid Bedfordshire – where the Labour Party overturned substantial Tory majorities – were “clearly disappointing”, but blamed low turnout among traditional Conservative voters.

Rishi Sunak has defended the Conservatives after two by-election losses overnight, claiming mid-term polls are “always difficult” and “local factors” were at play. The party lost their seats in both Tamworth and Mid Bedfordshire in the early hours of Friday morning, as Labour overturned two huge Conservative majorities to deal a double blow to the

Labour has hailed a “political earthquake” after overturning huge Conservative majorities in Tamworth and Mid Bedfordshire. Sir Keir Starmer claimed his party was “redrawing the political map” after dealing a double by-election blow to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak – in results viewed as significant markers ahead of a general election next year. The contests were

Asylum seekers have reboarded the Bibby Stockholm barge after they were evacuated when Legionella bacteria was discovered two months ago. The vessel – docked at Portland Port in Dorset – is part of the government’s plans to deal with illegal migration into the UK. The Home Office says using the ship – with a capacity

Polling has opened in two crunch by-elections taking place today in Mid Bedfordshire and Tamworth. Voters in the constituencies will have until 10pm to decide who they want to represent them in parliament, following the resignations of Conservative MPs Nadine Dorries and Chris Pincher. Ms Dorries, a key ally of Boris Johnson, officially quit her

Rishi Sunak has failed to endorse cross-party calls for a cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hamas. In response to a question from the SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn, the prime minster said Israel has a “right to defend itself, to protect its people and to act against terrorism and ensure that the awful attack

Conservative HQ is claiming the Tory vote share in two upcoming by-elections could halve to around 30%, based on telephone canvassing data over recent days. The resignation of two Tory MPs have triggered by-elections this Thursday in Tamworth, Staffordshire and Mid Bedfordshire, with the party fighting hard to hold on to both. Party officials say

Former Tory minister Peter Bone has been kicked out the parliamentary party after a report found he committed acts of bullying and sexual misconduct. Mr Bone has lost the Conservative whip – meaning he will have to sit as an independent MP. A spokesperson for Chief Whip Simon Hart said: “Following a report by the