UK politics live: Starmer says only viable option in Middle East is two-state solution
Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer calls for an end to the ‘living nightmare’ Palestinians are enduring
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Sir Keir Starmer has warned that a two-state solution is “the only viable long-term route through” the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, as he said Britain’s thoughts are with the Jewish people on the anniversary of the 7 October attacks.
In a speech to the House of Commons, the prime minister called for an end to the “living nightmare” Palestinians are enduring, and vowed to use the “power of diplomacy” to try to minimise suffering on the ground, as he urged Israel to renew efforts for a ceasefire and called for more relief for civilians.
He took aim at Iran, saying the launching of 200 ballistic missiles at Israel last week “exposes, once again, Iran’s malign role in the region”.
His speech comes as David Lammy sought to reassure MPs the Falkland Islands and Gibraltar are “not up for negotiation” amid backlash over his decision to hand the Chagos Islands over to Mauritius.
The Foreign Secretary told the Commons: “I want to reassure the House and all members of the UK family worldwide that this agreement does not signal any change in policy to Britain’s other overseas territories.”
Sir Keir Starmer shuffles Number 10 team after Sue Gray quits as chief of staff
Who is Sue Gray? ‘Partygate’ civil servant takes up new Labour government role
Who is Morgan McSweeney? The Labour election guru replacing Sue Gray as chief of staff
Why Starmer’s reshuffle of his inner circle will help put No 10 back on track
Watch: Boris Johnson interview highlights: From ‘worst prime minister in history’ clash to ‘loopy’ Brexit
Boris interview highlights: From ‘worst PM in history’ clash to ‘loopy’ Brexit
Boris Johnson made a dramatic return to our television screens this weekend to promote his new memoir Unleashed. The former prime minister hit the headlines for comments made in his interviews with ITV’s Tom Bradby and GB News host Camilla Tourney. From being confronted with the claim he is “the worst prime minister” in UK history to clashing over his behaviour during Partygate, Mr Johnson had plenty to say. The Independent has taken a look at highlights from both interviews in the video above.
Pictured: Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg in No 10
Democratic mega-donor and owner of Boomberg has been spotted entering Downing Street.
ANALYSIS | Could Starmer’s strategic reshuffle regain control of Number 10?
In a pivotal moment for Sir Keir Starmer, significant changes have been implemented behind the iconic black door of Number 10, to recalibrate the government’s operations.
With the clock ticking toward his first 100 days, the Labour leader has displayed a decisive edge by replacing Sue Gray with Morgan McSweeney, his former chief of staff and head of political strategy.
The move shows Sir Keir’s patience is waning as he strives to reassert control after a tumultuous start to his premiership.
Despite Ms Gray’s previous contributions, her tenure has been marred by controversy and criticism, particularly surrounding the “freebie-gate” scandal.
Insider sources told Sky News that her departure was mutually agreed upon, with Ms Gray transitioning to a new role as envoy for the nations and regions.
One said: “This is about a PM wanting to regain grip.”
The prime minister’s decision reflects a broader strategy to streamline operations at Downing Street, especially after a lacklustre performance following a successful election campaign.
The reshuffle not only promotes Mr McSweeney but could be seen as an attempt to enhance the communications team, bringing in seasoned professionals to fortify the government’s messaging.
While some view this as a capitulation to internal dissent, ministers have insisted that Sir Keir is committed to unifying his team and addressing operational weaknesses.
Pictured: Foreign secretary meets members of the Jewish community
Meanwhile, David Lammy has visited South Tottenham United Synagogue this morning to mark the 7 October anniversary.
Breaking: London’s deputy mayor for policing and crime steps down
Sadiq Khan has just announced that Sophie Linden, London’s deputy mayor for policing and crime, is resigning.
Ms Linden quits after eight years working with the Mayor of London to take a job as an adviser to the justice secretary Shabana Mahmood, Mr Khan said.
In a statement, she claimed that policing in the capital was “far more diverse, transparent and accountable” than when she started.
Reform plans private criminal prosecution against men in Manchester Airport fight
We now quickly turn to Westminster, where Reform UK is holding a press conference.
The party has announced they are planning to launch a private criminal prosecution against the people involved in the Manchester Airport fight in July.
Footage from the incident showed an armed police officer kicking a man in the face during an arrest inside a terminal.
But another clip revealed the moment three police officers, including two women, were allegedly assaulted by two men, including the one who was allegedly kicked in the head.
An Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is under way into the incident and nobody has been charged.
Threatening with a private criminal prosecution, Nigel Farage said in a letter to the home secretary: “We have genuine reason to be concerned that in fact the CPS is awaiting for the IOPC to find some fault with the police officers, which will then give them a reason not to progress charges against the assailants. This is totally unacceptable.”
The letter added: “We are therefore serving notice that if the CPS is not going to charge the assailants, then we will organise a private criminal prosecution against them. We have taken initial advice and have a legal team on standby to progress when required.”
Poll: 60% of Britons think Labour government is ‘sleazy’
With Sir Keir Starmer’s administration approaching 100 days in power, voters have given their verdict.
According to a new YouGov poll, more than half of Brits think the new Labour government has been “sleazy”.
Just under three months of taking office, the prime minister’s cabinet was described negatively by six in ten of those polled.
The survey had been conducted amidst Labour’s row over freebies which forced the PM to return over £6,000 in hospitality.
But the Tories have received the same feedback, with 77 per cent of Brits giving the same negative description to the previous administration.
The poll also found 30 per cent of Labour voters would use the same word to describe their party, while 38 per cent think it has behaved worse than expected.
David Lammy defends Sue Gray and Labour government’s record
The foreign secretary has joined defence secretary John Healey in praising Sue Gray as a “superb public servant” as he defended the government’s record during its first three months in office.
His comments come after a raft of accusations towards the former chief of staff from aides, who claim Ms Gray allegedly delayed policy decisions and was a “divisive figure” in No 10.
Despite the backlash, foreign secretary insisted: “I congratulate [Sue Gray] as she heads into this new role, working with Labour, connecting us the government, with the regions particularly across our country.
“This is a government pledged to serve. There is much to do. It’s a young government, and we get on with the work ahead of us.”
Highlighting the work of Sir Keir Starmer’s administration so far, he added: “I’m very pleased that over these 100 days, we’ve been able to speed up our support to Ukraine. I’m very pleased that we’ve been able to move forward with the establishment of GB Energy, that my colleague Wes Streeting has been able to settle the dispute with junior doctors and get on with the business of turning around our National Health Service.”
Pictured: Angela Rayner arrives at No 10
Robert Jenrick calls for Cabinet Office ethics investigation into Sue Gray
We now have some reaction from the Conservatives, who have not fallen short in criticising Labour over the party’s former chief of staff.
Tory leadership contender Robert Jenrick has demanded Sue Gray to be banned from taking up a new role until an investigation can be carried out by the Cabinet Office ethics team.
He was responding to recent reports of aides accusing Ms Gray of alienating some of her political colleagues, who slammed her for “control freakery”, and accused her of creating a bottleneck that delayed policy decisions.
Following her resignation as Sir Keir Starmer’s chief of staff on Saturday, she accepted a new role as envoy to the regions and nations.
But Mr Jenrick called the former partygate investigator to be blocked from the job “until the Propriety and Ethics team at the Cabinet Office, a unit she once ran, have carried out a full investigation”.
The former minister added: “Sue Gray’s tenure in Downing Street was one of the unhappiest in the long history of that building. It’s clear that she has left dozens of junior staff hurt and upset.
“But there were serious allegations made that warrant full investigation.”
He added: “It’s the least transparency we should expect from this government which has moved from one crisis to another in its first few months.”
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