UK politics live: Jenrick says ECHR is ‘leave or die’ issue and ramps up migration rhetoric at Tory conference
Tory leadership hopeful Robert Jenrick described illegal migrants as ‘terrorists on our streets terrorising our citizens’
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Robert Jenrick has said that the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) is a “leave or die” issue for the Tories and urged to exit the convention during a rally at the Conservative Party conference.
During his speech, the former minister ramped up on an anti-migration rhetoric claiming that “Churchill wanted to defend the right to family life, not terrorists on our streets terrorising our citizens.”
His remarks come after Mr Jenrick called for the Star of David to be displayed at every point of entry to the UK to show “we stand with Israel” while wearing a “Hamas Are Terrorists” hoodie at a Conservative Friends of Israel fringe event.
Today, leadership rivals Kemi Badenoch and Tom Tugendhat are preparing to appear on the main stage of the Tory conference to make their cases to party members.
Ms Badenoch will face questions from party members after sparking controversy for describing maternity pay as “excessive” and calling for greater personal responsibility.
In an interview with Times Radio, the Tory leadership hopeful argued that government intervention on issues like the maternity benefit had gone “too far”, placing a burden on businesses.
The Independent’s political team will be reporting live throughout the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham.
Tugendhat and Badenoch face questions from Tory members on conference main stage
Sunak urges Tories to end infighting to avoid future election defeats
Rosie Duffield claims Keir Starmer ‘has problem with women’ after quitting Labour
Keir Starmer tightens rules on gifts and donations after Rosie Duffield’s ‘avarice’ accusation
Oliver Dowden interviewed by police as part of gambling probe
Oliver Dowden was interviewed by police officers from the Gambling Commission as part of the official investigation into bets placed on the date of the investigation, sources told Sky News.
But sources close to the former deputy prime minister told The Independent that he is not and was never under investigation himself.
Sir Oliver spoke to the police to assist with their inquiries in an interview conducted in the early summer.
The inquiry, which was launched in June, is expected to continue for another three to six months.
As part of the probe, the Gambling Commission has reportedly seized “hundreds of documents” from Tory headquarters.
Watch: Duffield claims Keir Starmer ‘has problem with women’ after quitting Labour
Rosie Duffield claims Keir Starmer ‘has problem with women’ after quitting Labour
Rosie Duffield has claimed that she believes Keir Starmer “has a problem with women” after sensationally quitting the Labour Party over his “greed”. Just months after the general election, the elected MP for Canterbury says the gifts scandal and “sleaze” are causing MPs to be “laughed at”. “I’ve experienced it myself”, she responded when quizzed on whether there was a gender issue in his government. “Most backbenchers I’m friends with are women and most of us refer to the men who surround him as ‘the lads’...it’s very clear that ‘the lads’ are in charge.”
Robert Jenrick backs moves to prevent parachuting Tory MPs into safe seats
Robert Jenrick has signalled he would give Conservative party members a bigger role in choosing future MPs if he is made party leader.
Attitudes among some Tory activists were soured during the run-up to the general election campaign when Conservative MPs at risk of losing their seats were parachuted into safer constituencies.
Among them was Richard Holden, the then-party chairman, who was selected as the candidate for Basildon and Billericay when his former North West Durham constituency was abolished.
Mr Holden, who won the Essex seat, faced strong opposition from local Tory activists when the move was carried out using a foreshortened selection process.
Speaking at a fringe event at the Conservative Party conference, former minister Mr Jenrick was applauded when he said it was “immensely disrespectful” to parachute candidates into safe seats.
He added: “It was disrespectful to anyone who aspires to be a Conservative candidate and member of Parliament. You have my solemn promise that will never happen if I am lucky enough to lead this party.
“You should be in the driving seat. You should choose who your parliamentary candidates are. That is how we inspire people of substance to stand as parliamentary candidates once again.”
VOICES | Is this the moment that Rachel Reeves put ‘what works’ before dogma?
Ditch the non-dom tax, chancellor – and bring in a Robin Hood tax instead, writes John Rentoul:
Is this the moment that Rachel Reeves put ‘what works’ before dogma?
Ditch the non-dom tax, chancellor – and bring in a Robin Hood tax instead, writes John Rentoul
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