UK politics - live: Michael Gove names Muslim and white supremacist groups as he outlines extremism definition
Labour leader Keir Starmer says Diane Abbott ‘needs an arm around her’ but restoring whip still depends on investigation
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The government has identified groups that could face restrictions following the publication of the new “extremism” definition amid rising concerns about threats to social cohesion and British democracy.
A ban on white supremacist group British National Socialist Movement and Patriotic Alterntive engaging with the government will be considered, as well as anti-War on Terror group CAGE , Muslim Engagement and Development (MEND) and Muslim Association with Britain, which he says “give rise to concern”.
The groups will be assessed for whether they met the definition of extremism, Levelling Up secretary Michael Gove said.
He told MPs the country’s values of inclusivity and tolerance were “under challenge from extremist groups which are radicalising our young people and driving greater polarisation within and between communities to further their own ends”.
Earlier, he said the new definition of extremism was not intended to stop people from protesting amid fears it could curtail free speech.
Meanwhile, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said the former Labour MP Diane Abbott needed “an arm around her” but the issue of restoring the whip was completely different and still subject to investigation.
Exclusive: Khan’s Tory rival for City Hall pressured over donor funding amid Diane Abbott race row
The Conservative candidate to become mayor of London is facing calls to reveal if any funding for her campaign comes from the donor at the centre of a racism row.
Frank Hester is alleged to have said Labour MP Diane Abbott made him “want to hate all black women” and that she “should be shot”. Rishi Sunak is resisting calls to hand back the money, despite calling the remarks “racist”, saying Mr Hester had shown “remorse”.
Now Dawn Butler, the chair of Labour’s London MPs, has written to Susan Hall to ask if her campaign has received donations from Mr Hester and if she will pledge to return them. In a letter, Ms Butler also asks Ms Hall if she will “condemn Mr Hester’s alleged comments as racist.”
Our politics and Whitehall editor Kate Devlin has more details in this exclusive report:
Khan’s Tory rival for City Hall pressured over donor funding amid Abbott race row
Exclusive: Susan Hall facing calls to reveal if cash at the centre of scandal will be used in London campaign
New definition of extremism ‘could have chilling effect on free speech’
Broadening the definition of extremism could have “a chilling effect on free speech”, MPs have been warned.
Conservative MP Miriam Cates said moving the definition away from acts of violence could lead to a criminalisation of “legitimate views”.
Communities secretary Michael Gove is expected to produce a new official definition of extremism later this week.
New definition of extremism ‘could have chilling effect on free speech’
Conservative MP Miriam Cates said moving the definition away from acts of violence could lead to a criminalisation of ‘legitimate views’.
UK sends 150 tonnes of aid to Gaza, as government announces £10m in funding
Another 150 tonnes of UK aid entered Gaza on Wednesday, as the government announced an additional £10m in funding to support the stricken territory.
Wednesday’s aid delivery included 840 family-sized tents, 3,000 shelter kits, 6,000 sleeping mats and more than 13,000 blankets, along with more than 3,000 “dignity kits” to help women and girls.
This week is also expected to see the arrival of a full field hospital in Gaza, funded by UK Aid, that will be staffed by local and international medics and can treat more than 100 patients a day.
Lord David Cameron said: “Too many people in Gaza are suffering. No-one should be without basic amenities like shelter and bedding, and everyone deserves the dignity that basic hygiene kits provide. Our largest aid delivery, combined with a new UK field hospital, will save lives.
“But an immediate pause in the fighting is the only way to get aid into Gaza in the quantities desperately needed. This will also allow for the safe release of hostages. We could then work towards a sustainable, permanent ceasefire, without a return to destruction, fighting or loss of life.”
The UK has also pledged an extra £10 million in aid funding, bringing its total contribution to more than £100m this financial year.
Lee Anderson hits out at Tory ‘inconsistencies’ over calls to hand back £10m to Frank Hester
Two former Conservative MPs have added their voices to calls for the party to hand back the £10m it received from Frank Hester.
Julian Knight, who now sits as an independent, tweeted: “The Conservative Party must return every penny of Mr Hester’s donation no ifs no buts.”
Lee Anderson, who defected to Reform UK on Monday after losing the Tory whip, told GB News that the public would want “consistency”.
He said: “I left the party, had the whip taken off me. I refused to apologise. I stood on a principle that I will not apologise and go back to the party – because we’ve seen inconsistencies again with this donor.
“Ten million quid is good for the party, fair enough, but you’ve got to be consistent, because if you’re not consistent, then people don’t trust you until you’ve been consistent.”
Hunt’s national insurance cut clears House of Commons
A national insurance cut from April has moved closer to becoming law after it cleared the House of Commons.
MPs voted 293 to 41 to support the bill at its third reading. An SNP amendment designed to block it – amid warnings that it would lead to spending cuts for public services – was defeated by 300 votes to 44.
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt used his spring Budget last week to announce pre-election giveaways, including a 2p cut in national insurance for employees and the self-employed.
The bill, which will undergo further scrutiny in the Lords, seeks to implement the policy from 6 April.
UK set to ban foreign governments from owning British newspapers
Rishi Sunak’s government is set to change the law to ban foreign states from owning, influencing or controlling British newspapers – in a move threatening the Abu Dhabi-backed bid for the Telegraph and Spectator.
The government outlined its plans in a House of Lords debate on Wednesday evening, which would empower the culture secretary to block any deals found to pave the way for foreign ownership or influence.
The commitment to banning foreign state ownership of national newspapers and periodical news magazines will come in an amendment to the third reading of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill, which is currently making its way through parliament.
Ministers are expected to bring forward an amendment to the legislation as soon as next Tuesday.
UK set to ban foreign governments from owning British newspapers
Goverment to commit to ban on foreign ownership amid concern over proposed Telegraph takeover
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