BBC general election debate live: Sunak and Starmer face each other for final time before public goes to polls

The suspended Labour member remains in custody in relation to explicit images and texts sent to MPs, staff and political reporters in Westminster

Tory election betting probe: ‘Totally unacceptable’ if rules broken says Welsh secretary

Labour has suspended a party member after being arrested in connection of the honeytrap scandal that rocked Westminster.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed a man was taken into custody from Islington this morning after an investigation was launched in April when multiple MPs, staffers and political journalists were sent “unsolicited messages”.

As Westminster reels with gambling accusations, Sir Keir Starmer has refused to change betting rules in light of the escalating betting scandal.

During a campaign trail visit in Leicestershire, the Labour leader claimed he was “resistant to go down the road of let’s change the rules” and blamed the politicians involved in the saga.

It comes as he hailed his response to the Gambling Conission investigating Labour candidate Kevin Craig showed assertive leadership in contrast to “inaction” from Sunak.

Sir Ed Davey has admitted he placed a bet on the outcome of the 2010 general election and Tory cabinet minister Alister Jack insisted he has broken no rules after placing bets on the date of the general election.

As we race towards polling day, the prime minister and Sir Keir Starmer will go head to head for a final TV debate tonight on BBC at 8.15pm.

Key Points

• Labour suspends party member in Westminster honeytrap scandal
• Greenpeace activist climbs on top of Conservative battle bus
• Tories handed £1.2m contract to Canadian firm which bribed Gaddafi’s son
• Streeting admits placing a bet on Sajid Javid becoming health secretary
• Starmer refuses to change betting rules following scandal
• Sunak and Starmer set for the final debate on BBC

[26 June 2024 16:03 · Salma Ouaguira]

Pictured: Sir Ed Davey paddling in the River Thames during campaign trail

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey falls off a paddleboard during his visit to Streatley, Berkshire (Jonathan Brady/PA Wire)

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey (left) and local parliamentary candidate Freddie van Mierlo after falling off their paddleboards (Jonathan Brady/PA Wire)

[26 June 2024 16:00 · Salma Ouaguira]

Farming minister hits back at Greenpeace activists' criticism

Farming minister Sir Mark Spencer has denied Greenpeace activists’ claims that the Tories scored worst of all parties on the environment.

Criticising the protester climbing the Conservative battle bus, he said it was ironic that “I’m here in my electric rechargeable vehicle and they turned up in their diesel van to protest about the environment”.

He added: “I think they made their point. I mean, I’m sympathetic to some of the points they made. You know, I think in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs we’re doing a lot to lower our carbon footprint and improve the environment.”

Mr Spencer said the criticism of the Tories’ record on the environment was not “fair at all”.

“We’ve made huge strides in making sure that we are both energy secure but lowering our carbon footprint as as a nation.”

[26 June 2024 15:50 · Salma Ouaguira]

Starmer: ‘David Tennant should have been respectful in criticising Badenoch'

Sir Keir Starmer has said Doctor Who actor David Tennant should have been more respectful when he criticised Kemi Badenoch in his British LGBT awards.

After accepting the LGBT ally award, the Hollywood actor said: “We shouldn’t live in a world where that is worth remarking on. However, until we wake up and Kemi Badenoch doesn’t exist any more – I don’t wish ill of her, I just wish her to shut up – whilst we do live in this world, I am honoured to receive this.”

Reacting to the remarks, the Labour leader said disagreement “is important” but Mr Tennant should have been more careful.

Keir Starmer added “I think in politics, as in life, it’s really important that we are able to robustly disagree with others.

“Obviously, that happens a lot in the general election campaign, but we should do it with respect for everybody involved in that robust discussion.

“I wouldn’t have engaged in the way that he did. I think it’s right that we have these robust discussions, but we must do it respectfully.”

(Getty Images)

[26 June 2024 15:41 · Salma Ouaguira]

Ulster Unionist Party launches manifesto

The Ulster Unionist Part has launched its manifesto titled “Making Northern Ireland work”.

Here’s the top policies party leader Doug Beattie proposes:

• The party has committed to defend and promote Northern Ireland’s place in the UK.

• A fiscal responsibility and effective financial stewardship. The party plans to work with Westminster to reduce Corporation Tax in Northern Ireland to 15 per cent.

• The UUP promises to increase Northern Ireland’s police force by 7,500.

• Pledge to “commit to our long-standing policy of maintaining pay parity“ in the health service.

• Engage with Executive colleagues to ensure independent pay recommendations are funded.

Doug Beattie (front centre), leader of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) stands with party candidates following the party's manifesto launch at the Stormont Hotel in Belfast (Liam McBurney/PA Wire)

[26 June 2024 15:27 · Salma Ouaguira]

Martin Lewis accuses Tories of misrepresenting his comments

[26 June 2024 15:23 · Salma Ouaguira]

Breaking: Greenpeace activist climbs on top of Conservative battle bus

A woman has climbed on to the roof of the Conservative election battle bus as it stopped for the first visit of the day in Nottinghamshire.

The Greenpeace activist held up a flag reading “clean power not paddy power” bearing the green logo.

Amy Rugg-Easey made it on to the roof of the coach using a ladder.

Ms Rugg-Easey claimed she staged the action because “we deserve better than this”.

Speaking to reporters traveling on the campaign bus, she added: “On climate and nature, the Conservatives are the worst out of all the parties and it’s so obvious.

“I mean, what have they been doing? We deserve better. We deserve better on climate and nature.”

A Greenpeace spokesman said it was “legitimate and important” to stage a protest by climbing on the Tory battle bus.

A demonstrator holds a Greenpeace banner calling for 'Clean Power, not PaddyPower' as they protest on the roof of the Conservative Party's General Election campaign bus in Nottingham (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

[26 June 2024 15:19 · Salma Ouaguira]

What is the Westminster honeytrap scandal?

Back in April the Met confirmed it was investigating reports from several victims of unsolicited messages being sent to MPs and staff working in Westminster.

A long list of men revealed they were sent flirtatious WhatsApp texts from people nicknamed as “Charlie” or “Abi”.

In many cases they were sent explicit images and texts.

Conservative MP at the time William Wrag resigned from the party after admitting he gave phone numbers of fellow MPs to a man he met on a dating app.

Targeted victims included Tory Luke Evans who claimed he became a victim of “cyber-flashing and malicious communications”.

As many as 20 people working in the political field are thought to have received unsolicited texts.

William Wragg resigned the Conservative whip after admitting he disclosed politicians’ phone numbers to a suspected scammer (UK Parliament) (PA Media)

[26 June 2024 15:11 · Salma Ouaguira]

Streeting admits betting on Sajid Javid becoming health secretary

Wes Streeting has admitted he placed a bet on Sajid Javid becoming health secretary back in 2021.

The health secretary insisted he did not place a bet on this general election and did not have insider knowledge about the Tory MP becoming Cabinet minister.

He told ITV: “I have not bet on this election. I did once successfully bet on Sajid Javid being the next health secretary. Yes, that’s the extent.”

Mr Streeting added: “What I did do was an educated guess that Boris Johnson hated reshuffles. Sajid Javid was sat on the back and therefore I was successful on that occasion.”

(Wiktor Szymanowicz/Future Publis)

[26 June 2024 15:06 · Salma Ouaguira]

Man who threw objects at Nigel Farage on open-top campaign bus pleads guilty

A man who threw items at Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has admitted a public order offence.

Josh Greally, 28, was arrested in Barnsley town centre two weeks ago after he threw what looked like a coffee cup and another object at Mr Farage.

The politician was campaigning on the top deck of a battle bus in the town. Neither of the objects hit him.

[26 June 2024 15:05 · Salma Ouaguira]

DUP candidate’s constituency office shot at four times

A DUP candidate’s constituency office was shot at four times last night.

Candidate for East Antrim Sammy Wilson said the window and doors of the building in Carrickfergus were damaged in the attack.

Mr Wilson said: “Throughout my years as a public representative, I have never been deterred from putting forward my views and I won’t be deterred now.”

The Police Service of Northern Ireland’s district commander said they are now investigating the incident.