Starmer risks reigniting fury across Britain as he brands recent violent riots ‘racist’

Scottish Government minister takes medical leave for cancer treatment

A Scottish Government minister is to go on leave as she undergoes treatment for breast cancer.

Drugs and alcohol policy minister Christina McKelvie was previously treated for the disease and marked the end of her treatment in 2021.

She said she was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer in June, started treatment last month and will now go on medical leave.

Ms McKelvie said: “In 2021, I was pleased to be able to ring the bell at the Beatson cancer centre to mark the end of my treatment for breast cancer.

“Unfortunately, in June I was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer and started treatment in July, again at the Beatson.

“For the past month, I have been able to carry out my duties as minister for drugs and alcohol policy, however following medical appointments today, it is clear to me that I need to take a period of leave to focus on my treatment and recovery.

“I want to thank all those in the Beatson and wider NHS who are caring for me so well during this period and have done since my first diagnosis in 2021. And to all women, please remember to check yourself regularly and always attend your screening appointments.”

Angela Rayner's plans could see staff earn THOUSANDS just for being contacted by manager outside of work hours

Bosses who contact their employees out of hours could be forced to shell out thousands of pounds under a new scheme drawn up by Angela Rayner.

The Deputy PM is looking to follow through with a Labour commitment to hand workers the "right to switch off" - bringing the UK into step with a raft of EU countries which have introduced similar laws.

Rayner's plans will enforce a "code of practice", signed off by employers and employees, which will set strict expectations on when staff can expect to be contacted outside of normal hours.

If workers feel sufficiently aggrieved, bosses could face fines of thousands of pounds at employment tribunals - though it's understood that this would only apply to repeat offenders, and even then only as part of broader claims tabled by staff.

The move falls under Labour's Employment Rights Bill as enshrined in this year's King's Speech, which also seeks to ban zero-hours contracts, and protect sick pay and unfair dismissal claims.

One Government source told the Times that any "right to switch off" plans were still up in the air.

They said: "This is an ongoing discussion - we've not settled on a position yet, [but] it has to be specific to each workplace and therefore it has to be something that businesses and their workforce agree among themselves rather than a diktat.

"We're conscious of the disproportionate impacts of these sort of policies on smaller businesses - that will factor in to how we draft it."

Scotland suspends meetings with Israel over conflict in region

Following a meeting with the Israeli UK Deputy Ambassador, External Affairs Secretary Angus Robertson issued a statement making clear that Scotland would suspend meetings with Israel until "real progress has been made towards peace".

He said: "Two weeks ago, I met the new Israeli UK Deputy Ambassador at their request.

"We anticipated the Deputy Ambassador would raise concerns about antisemitism, as well as other issues.

"It was rightly for me to decide whether to take the meeting, however, as is normal practice, the First Minister was made aware before the meeting happened.

"My view was that given the Israeli UK Deputy Ambassador had requested a meeting it was an opportunity to express the Scottish Government's clear and unwavering position on the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and I did exactly that.

"No one intended that this meeting be presented as legitimatising the actions of the Israeli government in Gaza. The Scottish Government has been consistent in our unequivocal condemnation of the atrocities we have witnessed in Gaza.

"The reality, however, is that this meeting has been taken by many to represent a normalisation of relations between the Israeli and Scottish Governments.

"As such, it is clear that it would have been better to ensure that the meeting was strictly limited to the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and an end to the appalling loss of life in the region. I apologise for the fact that this did not happen.

"Going forward, it is clear that, having now spoken direct to the Israeli Government and making them aware of our position on an immediate ceasefire, it would not be appropriate to accept any invitation for a further meeting.

"This will remain our position until such time as real progress has been made towards peace, unimpeded access to humanitarian assistance is provided and Israel cooperates fully with its international obligations on the investigation of genocide and war crimes.

"The Scottish Government does not support any normalisation of its relations with the Israeli Government during this period.

"The Scottish Government will never hold back in expressing support for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the release of all hostages, an end to UK arms being sent to Israel, and the recognition of a sovereign Palestinian state within a two-state solution."

Reform UK forms first council group in Wales

We are taking the fight to Labour. https://t.co/kEz6IewURk

— Nigel Farage MP (@Nigel_Farage) August 19, 2024

SNP veteran who lost whip stands by 'deeply offensive' comments

A veteran MSP has said he is standing by his comments after he had the whip removed for making "utterly abhorrent" claims about Israel's war with Hamas.

Glasgow Shettleston MSP John Mason sparked outrage on social media last week after weighing in on Scottish External Affairs Secretary Angus Robertson's meeting with Israeli diplomat Daniela Grudsky.

He wrote on Twitter: "If Israel wanted to commit genocide, they would have killed ten times as many."

Mason added: "And Israel cannot be considered guilty of genocide either. If they wanted to commit genocide, they could have killed 10 times as many Palestinians as they have. Remember it is Iran/Hamas which wants Israel wiped off the map."

Although the SNP said his comments were "completely unacceptable", Mason believes he did the "right thing".

Mason told BBC Radio Scotland: "I completely stand by the tweet."

The Glasgow Shettleston MSP added: "I thought about it for a long time, and I would like to see Scotland, the UK, acting more as a peacemaker, rather than cheering on either side.

"But I put out that tweet because I do feel strongly. Israel, and the Jews in this country as well, feel very much threatened and under pressure. Israel is a tiny country surrounded by some very hostile states."

Turning to his punishment of having the whip removed he said that "sometimes you have to do the right thing and just take the consequences".

Emergency prison measures may be implemented repeatedly admits No10

Downing Street has admitted it may be forced to use emergency prison measures repeatedly over the coming weeks.

A Downing Street spokeswoman said the UK would "move in and out of" Operation Early Dawn multiple times in the immediate future.

She said the last time Operation Early Dawn was used it lasted for "around seven or eight days, and it’s possible, to manage immediate pressures, we’ll move in and out of this operation over the next few weeks, exactly to manage what are short periods of significant pressure, but we’ll keep that under constant review and activate or deactivate for those kinds of short periods as is necessary".

She added: "It is a pre-existing contingency measure that is used for short periods – a matter of days or weeks to manage immediate, localised pressures on the prison estate."

Starmer defends Ukraine response after being slammed by Zelensky

Sir Keir Starmer’s commitment to Ukraine "remains absolutely resolute", his spokesman has said after Volodymyr Zelensky suggested UK support had "slowed down".

Asked about Zelensky’s allegation, a Number 10 spokeswoman said: “The Prime Minister remains absolutely resolute in his support for Ukraine and in fact, on the latest situation, including in Kursk, the Prime Minister wants to set out his full admiration for the bravery shown by Ukrainian soldiers who have once again proved their spirit and determination in the face of continued Russian aggression, and shown that they will do whatever it takes to defend their country.

“It is a reminder that Ukraine has consistently exceeded expectations of what is possible and Russia continues to fail.

“But in terms of our support, again, it is unwavering. That’s why we committed to £3billion a year in support for Ukraine to do that for as long as it (the war) lasts.”

Tory deputy chairman quits to fight for Robert Jenrick

Tory party deputy chairman Matt Vickers is quitting his role with the party to campaign for Robert Jenrick’s leadership campaign.

Vickers was deputy chairman since July 2022 and was reappointed after the general election last month.

On Saturday, Vickers chaired the Northern Hustings where five of the six leadership candidates made their pitch to Northern members.

After the event, he made the decision to back Jenrick, describing the Newark MP as the ‘stand out’ candidate.

Vickers backed former PM Rishi Sunak during the previous two leadership contenders and previously served his election agent. He is the MP for Stockton West and only Conservative MP in the North East.

Vickers said: “On Saturday I chaired the northern hustings of the leadership contest. All the candidates were good, but Robert Jenrick was stand out. This process really matters - we have a mountain to climb and need a leader that can bring us back in one term. Having heard him up close, I firmly believe that that’s Robert.

“He had the clearest diagnosis of why we lost, and set out the most compelling vision for how we change, rebuild and win again.

“Of course, he is a strong communicator, but he crucially has the credibility we need to earn back the public’s trust.”

On Sunday Jenrick set out 10 principles in the Sunday Telegraph that he believes the Conservative Party should unite around. He called for a collective process among MPs, councillors, party members to collectively ‘rediscover our identity’.

Badenoch warned leadership bid at risk of 'unravelling' amid explosive 'punch-ups'

Kemi Badenoch's leadership campaign is at risk of "unravelling" due to her decision to pursue "punch-ups" when she faces criticism, top Tory figures have told GB News.

The former Business Secretary, who is seen as the frontrunner to succeed Rishi Sunak as Tory leader, is receiving a backlash after appearing rattled by several negative stories in recent weeks.

Badenoch, 44, took to social media to post lengthy tirades accusing leadership rivals of playing "dirty tricks" and claimed an article pointing out her previous stance on immigration was "clutching at straws".

She also slammed reports of "bullying" and criticised journalists for pointing out she missed Saturday's northern hustings to go on holiday.

The North West Essex MP is looking to court support from Conservative MPs ahead of the first ballot on September 4.

However, Tory sources have suggested Badenoch is at risk of blowing up her campaign with further outbursts.

Read the full story HERE

​Doug Beattie quits as leader of UUP after 'irreconcilable differences' with party officers

Doug Beattie has quit as leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, citing “irreconcilable differences” with party officers for the shock move.

Beattie issued a statement confirming he was standing down after a morning of intense speculation over his future amid apparent internal tensions with other senior party figures.

The Upper Bann Assembly member, who is a decorated Army veteran, was elected UUP leader in 2021.

He said: "I am no stranger to leadership and that is how it often feels in taking a toll both physically and mentally. It also strains friendships and political relationships.

"It is now clear that some believe the momentum needed to keep the Ulster Unionist Party moving in the right direction cannot come from me.

"Irreconcilable differences between myself and party officers combined with the inability to influence and shape the party going forward means that I can no longer remain the party leader."

Labour triggers emergency prison plan as riot clampdown leaves justice system on the brink

Labour has activated emergency plans to combat prison overcrowding as fast-tracked charges and sentences for rioters continue to pile up.

The plan, named Operation Early Dawn, will see defendants waiting for court appearances across the north of England shipped out to police cells - where they will not be summoned to magistrates' courts until prison spaces open up again.

The crackdown, fewer than two months into Sir Keir Starmer's Government, will be imposed across Cheshire, Cumbria, Lancashire, Manchester, Merseyside, the north east and Yorkshire.

Early Dawn had been triggered for a week in May this year under the Conservatives - and back then, a Labour spokesman had stated the party would scrap the early release system altogether.

Read the full story HERE

Prime Minister to head to Northern Ireland after riots

The Prime Minister is to discuss the recent riots with the head of Northern Ireland’s police service during a visit to the region on Monday.

At least 20 police officers were injured in a spate of violent incidents across early August in Northern Ireland.

Bricks, petrol bombs and other missiles were thrown at officers as anti-immigration protests brought wider unrest to areas such as Belfast and Londonderry.

Cars were set alight and a number of businesses were severely damaged.
Elsewhere, a petrol bomb was thrown at a mosque in Newtownards.

Dozens of people have been arrested and charged with offences such as rioting and racially-motivated hate crimes.

Starmer's favourability drops post-election

More than half of people think Britain is “moving in the wrong direction”, according to a poll which shows a drop in favourability for Sir Keir Starmer and his Cabinet.

The poll by Ipsos, conducted between August 9-12, showed a post-General Election drop in the perception of the Prime Minister, as well as his deputy Angela Rayner and Chancellor Rachel Reeves.

Of those polled, 22 per cent said that they think things in Britain are heading in the right direction, 52 per cent in the wrong direction and 19 per cent neither.

Top Sunak ally emerges as frontrunner to take Tory leadership - new poll

James Cleverly has been tipped to replace Rishi Sunak as Conservative Party leader, according to a new survey of Tory members.

The polling has tipped the Shadow Home Secretary as the most popular of the six leadership hopefuls - with the backing of 26 per cent of the party faithful.

Other former Government heavy-hitters Dame Priti Patel and bookies' favourite Kemi Badenoch sit at a respective second and third, with the former polling at 20 per cent, and the latter at 14.

Next up among the leadership pretenders sits Tom Tugendhat at 11 per cent, Robert Jenrick at 10 per cent, and Mel Stride at four per cent.

The polling - carried out by Cleverly's campaign - stands in contrast to broader YouGov surveys which tip Tom Tugendhat as a favourite among the general public.

Politics LIVE

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We'll be updating this page throughout the day with live politics updates as they come in - from Tory leadership updates to the latest on the fallout over the recent riots, and everything in between.