Nigel Farage ‘assessing’ return to politics amid warning Reform UK could pick off Tories - live
Reform UK to target Labour voters and claim Keir Starmer’s party will ‘bankrupt’ Britain if it wins next general election
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Reform UK leader Richard Tice said Nigel Farage was still assessing his political return but was “very confident” the party’s founder would play some role in the general election campaign.
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday morning to launch Reform’s election campaign, Mr Tice also claimed a Labour government would usher in “Starmergeddon”.
He claimed Sir Keir Starmer would drag Britain back toward the EU as he branded the opposition and the Tories as both part of the same “socialist coin”.
Earlier, there was speculation over whether Nigel Farage would appear at the press conference. Mr Farage recently took part in I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here and rumours about his return to frontline politics have abounded ever since.
In the end, Mr Farage did not appear but Mr Tice said he was “very confident” that his predecessors would play some role in the general election campaign in the future.
Sister of man who died on Bibby Stockholm thanks UK public for generosity- Part Three
Home Secretary James Cleverly previously said that Mr Farruku’s sudden death would be “fully” investigated.
The Daily Telegraph, which first reported the deceased’s name, has stated that he paid 4,000 euro (£3,400) to cross the English Channel in a small boat to arrive in the country.
Ms Dushku, 33, who lives in Lombardy in Italy, told the newspaper: “When I spoke with him last time, he told me that the conditions in that boat were not bad but they were treated by the guards like animals.”
An impact assessment, which found the policy of housing asylum seekers on the Bibby Stockholm barge discriminated on the grounds of age and sex, was deleted from the Government’s website last month, two days after being published.
A note on the website said the impact assessment was “published in error”.
The assessment found that the policy of housing up to 500 single men on the barge was “directly discriminating in relation to age (and) sex” because the barge was only suitable for men aged 18 to 65.
The assessment argued that the greater need to house male asylum seekers within that age range in accommodation other than hotels justified discriminating on the grounds of age and sex.
It is understood that the Home Office only pays for repatriation following a death in detained detention, which it says does not cover the Bibby Stockholm as the residents are able to leave at will.
A Home Office spokesman said: “This was a tragic incident and our thoughts are with everyone affected.
“The welfare of all those in our care is of the utmost importance and we take this responsibility very seriously.”
Sister of man who died on Bibby Stockholm thanks UK public for generosity- Part Two
Mr Farruku’s sister, Jola Dushku, posted: “I cannot thank enough all the people from the UK, the Albanian community in the UK, and all Albanians worldwide for their generosity in helping us to secure the necessary money by using GofundMe, to bring back home the body of my brother Leonard Farruku and for his funeral.
“Your kindness and generosity will be in my heart for the rest of my life and bring to our family the same sort of comfort now being able to repatriate his body.
“It’s a strong demonstration of the people’s humanity in the UK compared to the Home Office not willing to help for the body of my brother to be repatriated in Albania.
“All this was achieved in one day thanks to all of you and thanks to the PA news agency who supported our campaign, UK media, and Albanian media, in coordination with our family solicitor Mr Mark Scott, and the assistance of the Inquest organisation in London. Thank you from my heart. Jola.”
Sister of man who died on Bibby Stockholm thanks UK public for generosity- Part One
The sister of an Albanian man who died on the Bibby Stockholm barge has thanked the UK public for its generosity after a fundraising appeal to repatriate his body has nearly doubled its target of £10,000.
Leonard Farruku was found unresponsive on board the accommodation vessel at Portland Port, Dorset, on December 12.
An inquest opened by Dorset coroner Rachael Griffin heard that a post-mortem examination found he had died from “compression of the neck” caused by “suspension by ligature”.
The hearing last month was told there were no suspicious circumstances and the case was adjourned for a full hearing to be held at a later date.
Mr Farruku’s family set up a GoFundMe page to raise £10,000 to repatriate the 27-year-old’s body, which remains in a Dorset mortuary.
By Wednesday, the campaign had reached £18,784.
Partygate peer Shaun Bailey accused of sexism over Carol Vorderman ‘boobs and bum’ remark
Scandal-hit Tory peer Shaun Bailey has been accused of misogyny for telling Carol Vorderman she cannot talk about politics while posting pictures “of her bum and her boobs” on Instagram.
The failed London mayoral candidate, who attended a lockdown-breaking “jingle and mingle” Christmas party, said “she can’t be both”.
Speaking to GB News about the former countdown star, Lord Bailey said: “On one hand… she’s a serious political commentator, and then if you look at her Instagram it’s all pictures of her bum and of her boobs. So what is it here? She can’t be both.”
Tory peer Shaun Bailey accused of sexism over Carol Vorderman ‘boobs and bum’ remark
The failed London mayoral candidate, who attended a lockdown-breaking ‘jingle and mingle’ Christmas party, said ‘she can’t be both’ a political commentator and post pictures of her body on Instagram
Junior doctors strike outside London hospital as six-day industrial action begins
Junior doctors began their six-day strike action, the longest in NHS history, on Wednesday morning, 3 January. Groups of junior doctors rallied outside several UK hospitals, including St Thomas’ Hospital in London, in the latest episode of their pay dispute with the government. Junior doctors, wearing bright orange BMA clothing, held up various signs including one saying “Reduced pay keeps the doctor away” with a map of Australia, which has become a growing destination for British doctors to move to. The industrial action follows a negotiating breakdown between the government and the British Medical Association (BMA), who are asking for a pay increase of 35%.
Reform UK rules out deal with the Tories as Nigel Farage ducks bid to become MP
Reform UK has “categorically” ruled out a deal with the Tories at the 2024 general election as Nigel Farage appears to have ducked an eighth bid to become an MP.
In a move that piles yet more pressure on Rishi Sunak, Reform leader Richard Tice vowed to field candidates in every constituency in England, Wales and Scotland.
Speaking at the party’s election campaign launch on Wednesday, he insisted Reform would not do a deal with the Conservatives under any circumstances. In 2019 the group formerly known as the Brexit Party stood down hundreds of candidates to help Boris Johnson secure a majority.
Reform UK rules out deal with the Tories as Nigel Farage ducks bid to become MP
Reform UK leader Richard Tice vowed ‘categorically’ to field candidates in every constituency in England, Wales and Scotland
Statistics watchdog to investigate Sunak claims about clearing asylum backlog
The Office for Statistics Regulation is investigating Rishi Sunak and James Cleverly’s announcement about clearing the asylum backlog, The Independent has learnt.
Mr Sunak claimed to have cleared the asylum backlog despite nearly 100,000 cases still waiting to be processed, including 4,500 legacy asylum cases.
Junior doctors start longest strike in NHS history
The longest strike in NHS history “couldn’t come at a worse time”, experts said as they warned that elderly patients could put off seeking medical help due to the walkouts.
Hospital bosses said the health service is “in the grip of peak winter pressure” as junior doctors in England take to picket lines for six days.
NHS Providers said the “unprecedented” action will lead to delays in care for thousands of patients.
Junior doctors start longest strike in NHS history
Experts warn the six-day walkout by junior doctors in England ‘couldn’t come at a worse time’
Lib Dem leader Ed Davey launches ‘Tory removal service’ as he visits Tory seats
Sir Ed Davey announced that the Liberal Democrats are the “Tory Removal Service.” The Lib Dem leader started his political campaigning for the year by visiting Conservative seats across Surrey on Wednesday, 3 January. He arrived at a campaign rally in Guildford in a moving van with the tagline “Ed Davey’s Tory Removals” on the side next to a picture of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. “Today I’m launching Ed Davey’s Tory Removals. It’s the blue wall’s premium unseating service for Conservative MPs,” Sir Ed said to a laughing crowd.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments