Boris Johnson interview live: Ex-prime minister says he regrets apologising for Partygate in ITV grilling
Comes as Sir Keir Starmer faces backlash over Chagos Islands deal with protest planned
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Boris Johnson has said he regrets apologising for the so-called partygate scandal over lockdown-era gatherings in Downing Street in a new interview.
Facing a grilling on ITV tonight, the former prime minister claimed the move had “inadvertently validated the entire corpus” as accusations were also levelled at officials who were “working very hard”.
He went on to defend the revellers, insisting that he does not think officials involved in the Westminster scandal “thought they were setting out to break the rules”.
Meanwhile, Sky News’s political editor Beth Rigby announced she has pulled out of an interview with Mr Johnson at the Cheltenham Literature Festival after being told she could not make a recording or transcript of the talk, marking the second interview the former Tory MP has lost this week.
It comes as a group of indigenous Chagossians, Chagossian Voices, planned to stage a protest in Westminster, claiming they have been “consistently and deliberately ignored” by the UK government over discussions surrounding the handover of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, The Independent understands.
Sir Keir Starmer has defended the government’s decision in the face of significant backlash, claiming that the UK-Mauritius deal ensures continued security of the US-UK Diego Garcia military base.
Boris Johnson refuses to say whether he regrets apology to Queen over party on eve of Prince Phillip’s funeral
Diego Garcia blame game deepens as Liz Truss hits out at Boris Johnson for island ‘surrender’
Boris Johnson’s Unleashed: A memoir that’s twisted, sour and full of yet more lies
Boris Johnson claims bugging device found in his bathroom after Netanyahu visit
Argentina says it will take ‘full sovereignty’ of Falklands after Chagos Islands return
Coming up: Starmer to give speech on capture investment plans
In the next few minutes, we will hear Sir Keir Starmer deliver a speech from Merseyside, unveiling the government’s plan to invest in green technologies.
Labour pledged nearly £22 billion over the next 25 years for carbon capture and storage initiatives.
Ahead of the announcement, the prime minister said: “Today’s announcement will give industry the certainty it needs – committing to 25 years of funding in this groundbreaking technology – to help deliver jobs, kickstart growth, and repair this country once and for all.”
Nigel Farage demands parliament debate on Chagos Islands
Rees-Mogg: Labour risks western security with Chagos Islands handover
Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg has accused the Labour government of failing to take western security seriously by transferring sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.
The former cabinet minister, who lost his seat at the general election, expressed concerns about handing over territory to a nation with which the UK has a “tricky relationship”.
The Chagos Islands, including Diego Garcia - home to a crucial US-UK military base - were British-owned since 1814 before the recent agreement aimed at resolving a long-standing dispute.
Mr Rees-Mogg argued that the decision reflects poorly Labour’s commitment to national security, particularly in light of potential Chinese interest in the region.
Speaking to GB News, he said: “We lost a legal action and therefore the government entered into talks. But interestingly, when the Conservatives were in office, as these sorts of ideas were floated, they were being heavily shot down, not least by Conservative backbenchers.
“But Labour doesn’t seem to take the security of the West seriously.”
Ministers confused over freebies after Starmer donation row
Ed Miliband has denied that Cabinet ministers are under pressure from Sir Keir Starmer to return donations following the freebies row that has engulfed the Labour Party in recent weeks.
On Wednesday, the prime minister attempted to draw a line under the issue by repaying £6,000 for hospitality and gifts he had received since entering Downing Street.
But one government minister told The Times there is confusion over what they can and can’t accept, accusing the prime minister of having let the row drag on.
Our political correspondent Millie Cooke has the full story below:
Ministers confused over freebies after Starmer donation row
The prime minister has been accused of letting the row over freebies drag on for too long
Reeves reveals date for maiden City speech at Mansion House
Chancellor Rachel Reeves is set to deliver her inaugural address at the Mansion House dinner in mid-November.
Sources from Sky News revealed that the Treasury, Bank of England, and City of London Corporation have confirmed the dinner for 14 November.
The high-profile gathering will take place just two weeks after Ms Reeves presents her first 30 October Budget, with expectations mounting for significant tax increases.
ANALYSIS | Miliband’s message of hope: A break from fiscal caution?
Ed Miliband has made it clear that the funds for the government’s ambitious carbon capture plans will be sourced through borrowing.
This marks a notable departure from the usual rhetoric of the current government, which typically focuses on saving rather than spending.
In recent weeks, there has been mounting concern regarding the prevailing sense of doom and gloom emanating from Labour, especially in light of the potential financial pain forecasted from the upcoming Budget on 30 October.
The Tories fear the bleak outlook could have dampened investment confidence leaving businesses apprehensive about prospects.
However, there has been a shift in tone, which was noticeable during the Labour conference speech delivered by a smiling Rachel Reeves.
Mr Miliband echoed this sentiment during the media rounds, telling Sky News: “I am in politics for change and hope, not for doom and gloom.”
Labour is still cautious about how much the minister can discuss about green investment spending, as it could somewhat conflict with the chancellor’s message for fiscal rectitude.
But it appears that the energy secretary has been granted more leeway to advocate for a greener future without the usual warnings.
Miliband signals shift towards annual EV charging point targets
The energy minister has opened the door to the introduction of annual targets for electric vehicle (EV) charging point installations across the UK.
Ed Miliband acknowledged the urgent need for enhanced infrastructure to support the country’s transition to greener transport.
Asked about whether an annual target was needed, Mr Miliband told broadcasters: “Happy to look at that. We’ll look at all of these things.
“We’re working on a plan across government to make sure that we have the charging infrastructure in place that we need. The country is only going in one direction which is towards EVs. Now we can either go slowly, lose out competitively and not meet our climate targets or we can do the right thing and drive forward with this.”
Starmer hails ‘groundbreaking’ green energy investment plan
Minister condemns pay-for-access scheme, urges Labour to learn from misstep
The energy secretary has urged the Labour Party to refrain from offering private companies meetings with ministers in exchange for financial contributions.
Ed Miliband’s warning comes following revelations that Labour’s commercial team proposed a £30,000 package for business leaders to gain insights from business secretary Jonathan Reynolds.
Asked about his message to his party, Mr Miliband told ITV’s Good Morning Britain: “Don’t do it again is my message.”
He also defended his cabinet colleague Mr Reynolds, claiming that the minister was “completely unaware of this invitation”, adding: “He is not attending this.”
Mr Miliband also said: “The answer is – whether it is me or Jonathan Reynolds – it is not about paying to have access. That is not what we are about, no.”
He also said Sir Keir Starmer’s decision to repay £6,000 worth of donations sends “a signal” and was a “prelude” to introducing new rules on gifts for ministers.
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