Boris Johnson news: Tory peer rounds on Conservatives criticising Labour over antisemitism for their own failure to tackle Islamophobia
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Jeremy Corbyn's bid for No 10 suffered a blow from two ex-Labour MPs who urged voters to back Boris Johnson at the ballot box.
Former Labour MP Ian Austin said Mr Corbyn was “unfit” to run the country over his failure to tackle antisemitism - but John McDonnell accused Mr Austin of being “employed by the Tories”.
It comes as Baroness Sayeeda Warsi, former co-chair of the Conservatives, said the Tories had “lost the moral high ground” on racism because of the failure to tackle Islamophobia. She warned against “weaponising racism” as a political tool.
Meanwhile, the Lib Dems, Plaid Cymru and the Greens announced they will not oppose each other in 60 seats across England and Wales.
To follow events as they unfolded, see our live coverage below
Have gaffes and mistakes ever changed the course of an election?
We’ve seen plenty of unforced errors in this election campaign already. Our chief political commentator John Rentoul has taken a look at whether such negative stories can really change the outcome.
Tea and whisky tour for Boris Johnson
The prime minister has taken to the skies aboard “Con Air” - an apparent nickname for the Conservative campaign plane - as part of a three-nation campaign trip.
The PM landed in Teesside for the opening stop on the first full day and visited the Tetley Tea factory in Eaglescliffe, where he was heard discussing with staff whether it was best to leave the tea bag in the cup.
On the tea he was drinking, the PM said: “I need it, the plane was freezing.”
Then he headed off to the north-east of Scotland, where he’s visiting the Roseisle whisky distillery in Elgin – and enjoying a wee dram by the looks of things.
Boris Johnson at Roseisle whisky distillery (AP)
Remainers ‘arrogant’ for carving up seats, says union boss
More alcohol chat. The TUC leader Frances O’Grady has been having a go at the Lib Dems, Greens and Plaid Cymru for their electoral pact – which will see candidates step aside from the strongest Remain candidate in 60 seats across England and Wales.
“It feels pretty arrogant for those on high to be sat around a nice bottle of wine carving up seats,” she said.
Plaid’s Liz Saville Roberts denies any wine was consumed during their meetings.
Ian Austin accuses John McDonnell of ‘complete lie’
The ex-Labour MP Ian Austin has said shadow chancellor John McDonnell’s claim he is now employed by the Tories is “a complete lie”.
The former Labour MP tweeted: “I was appointed an unpaid trade envoy in July, along with 27 other MPs and peers from different parties, including Labour, to promote UK trade and exports. John should withdraw this lie and apologise.”
Jo Swinson: setting Lib Dem campaign alight?
Lib Dem leader Jo Swinson is in Somerset, the south-west being a key region for her party, and has been chatting to staff and children during a visit to an eco-friendly nursery.
Swinson managed to light a fire using wood and cotton wool to spark the flames, before whittling a stick and toasting marshmallows.
She was told children at the eco-friendly centre are taught to “respect fire”.
Dawn Butler bidding to replace Tom Watson as Labour deputy
Dawn Butler, Labour’s equalities spokeswoman, has confirmed she will stand to be the party’s deputy leader following Tom Watson’s decision to resign from the post.
Speaking to Bloomberg TV on Thursday, Butler said: “I’ve thought very carefully about who should replace Tom and, after giving it some thought, I will be throwing my hat in the ring.
“I think I’ve got a track record of countering, holding people to account around race, equality and justice.
“I've got a track record of being very supportive to our leader Jeremy Corbyn and ensuring the Labour Party is on the front foot.”
Brexit Party chairman reveals he is standing in Hartlepool
Richard Tice, the Brexit Party’s chairman, says he’s standing as a candidate in the north-east constituency of Hartlepool.
“We plan to win,” he says. “The Labour Party have neglected Hartlepool for far too long. I have a track record of getting things done. I’m ready to deliver for the people of this town.”
More than 70,000 children have not been granted the right to live in UK after Brexit
More than half a million people, including more than 70,000 children, have not been granted the right to carry on living in the UK permanently after Brexit, official figures suggest.
Some 1.8 million people had applied to the EU Settlement Scheme up until the end of September, according to data released by the Home Office on Thursday.
Just under a million were granted settled status - giving them full permanent permission to live and work in the UK when freedom of movement ends.
Maike Bohn, a spokeswoman for campaign group the3million, said it was “shocking” that so many children who had applied had not been granted full settled status, adding: “This raises concerns over the quality of decision-making.
“This puts them in an incredibly precarious position.”
MP who supported protests against LGBT lessons to stand as independent
Roger Godsiff, the former Labour MP for Birmingham Hall Green, is standing as an independent candidate in the upcoming election. Labour's ruling body refused to endorse him as a candidate at a meeting on Wednesday.
Sajid Javid hints at tax cuts in Tory manifesto
Sajid Javid has signalled there could be tax cuts in the Tory manifesto as he tore up fiscal rules in a bid to woo voters.
In his first appearance on the campaign trail, the chancellor announced he would take advantage of low interest rates by borrowing an additional £20bn a year for capital projects such as roads and hospitals.
Mr Javid insisted that he could still deliver cuts to taxes under his new rules, but refused to set out where the axe might fall ahead of the publication of the Tory election manifesto.
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