Politics LIVE: Robert Jenrick forced to issue clarification after claims of plot to be more left-wing

'Completely nuts!' Farage slams Labour plans to import fuel from North Korea

Nigel Farage has lashed out at "completely nuts" Government plans to import fuel from countries including North Korea in a scathing social media tirade.

Labour ministers are said to have drawn up a list of potential countries to source "biomass" - including British adversary North Korea and Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, spurring on criticism that it threatens to undermine the credibility of UK's overall climate strategy.

After the plot came to light, Farage put Labour on blast in a brutal jab at Sir Keir Starmer.

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Sue Gray 'quit her job before even starting it' - Plaid Cymru leader

It's not just Welsh Labour taking flak at the Plaid Cymru party conference.

After laying into Wales's branch of the party just minutes ago, Plaid leader Rhun ap Iorwerth attacked Sue Gray's brief tenure as chief of staff, slated her new "nations and regions envoy" role, handed Sir Keir Starmer a new nickname, and even had a pop at Liz Truss.

He said: "Liz Truss may have been outlasted by a lettuce, but even she pales in comparison to Sue Gray who appears to have quit her job before even starting it properly.

"And what is an envoy to the nations and regions anyway?

"Not-so-clear Starmer handing out a P45 before even writing the job description."

Scandal-hit Labour 'failing to understand what it takes to turn things around', Plaid says

Wales "cannot afford" another 25 years of the Labour Party, Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth has said at his party conference.

In a scathing attack on the scandal-hit Welsh wing of the party, ap Iorwerth told followers: "Labour's letting down its own traditional supporters, so many of whom are already embracing Plaid Cymru's vision.

"Labour's failing them, failing Wales and failing to understand what it takes to turn things around.

"We can win by demonstrating we are better than this, we're bolder and not the bystanders that this Government have become.

"Be in no doubt - we can win at the ballot box and that must be our goal.

"This isn't about winning for us - it's about winning for Wales."

Chopper questions Chagos decision as Spain 'taking advantage' of the UK’s weaknesses on Gibraltar

Is this one of the ripples from the Government’s decision to hand over sovereignty of the Chagos Islands? 👇 https://t.co/IBfqgv53R4

— Christopher Hope📝 (@christopherhope) October 11, 2024

Starmer dodges questions on Sue Gray in latest controversy

Sir Keir Starmer repeatedly dodged questions on the absence of his new “envoy to the nations and regions”, Sue Gray, from the inaugural Council of the Nations and Regions meeting.

Asked whether he was embarrassed she had not been at the gathering, which is key to her new role, the Prime Minister told broadcasters: “We’ve just had the first meeting of the Council of Nations and Regions.

“I’ve had every First Minister here, the Deputy First Minister in Northern Ireland, and all the mayors from across England.

“We’ve had a really constructive discussion about economic growth, about jobs, about investment, and even today, we’ve had a further announcement of £24billion investment in the United Kingdom.

“I set out when we won that election, to change the country for the better, to stabilise the economy, and these investments that are coming in… they’re a drumbeat into our Investment Summit.”

'Petty' Robert Jenrick slammed for Farage comments: 'He's obsessed’

Reform UK’s former head of communications has hit out at Robert Jenrick after the Tory leadership candidate’s comments about Nigel Farage.

Speaking on GB News this morning, the man who reached the final two said he’s got the Reform leader “rattled” as he set out his ambition to win back voters who turned away from the Conservative Party in July’s General Election.

But according to Gawain Towler, Jenrick is being “petty” and Nigel is in no way concerned about him potentially becoming the leader of the Conservatives.

“Reform is not rattled. We have just gone up to 90,000 members”, he said.

“The only person who has anything to do with rattled at the moment is Jenrick throwing his toys out the pram.

“His translucency, there’s something not quite there. He was standing up at the Conservative Party Conference like it was a sixth form debate.”

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'Completely nuts!' Farage slams Labour plans to import fuel from North Korea

Nigel Farage has slammed speculated Government plans to import fuel from North Korea.

Labour ministers are said to have drawn up a list of potential countries to source biomass, including North Korea and Afghanistan, spurring on criticism that it threatens to undermine the credibility of UK's overall climate strategy.

In response to the news, Nigel Farage said on social media: "Starmer plans to reach Net Zero by importing fuel from North Korea and Afghanistan.

"This is completely nuts."

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

No10 won't say if Labour's first 100 days have been a success

Sir Keir Starmer is not planning to hold a celebration to mark his first 100 days tomorrow, No10 says.

The Prime Minister will spend this weekend, during which the timemark will pass, in Downing Street.

Pressed by journalists, No10 declined to say if the first 100 days have been a success.

"It is for the public to judge that," a spokesman said.

Damning figures expose Labour's unpopularity on eve of 100 days in office

Just 18 per cent of the UK public has a positive opinion of the Labour Government a new poll by YouGov has found.

On the eve of Sir Keir Starmer's 100 days in office, damning new data finds that 59 per cent of people disapproved of the Government's record so far.

Some 37 per cent said they did not have high hopes for the Government, but would give it the benefit of the doubt, while another 17 per cent said they were sure the Government would do a good job.

Theresa May warns 'justice unlikely' for victims of Russian Novichok attack

Theresa May has said “justice is unlikely” for the victims of the Novichok nerve agent attacks, days before an independent inquiry begins into the Russian-state Salisbury poisonings of 2018.

The former prime minister told the BBC she hopes friends and family of Wiltshire woman Dawn Sturgess, who was killed after coming into contact with the Russian-engineered nerve agent, “will take some comfort” from the probe into her death, set to start on October 14.

Sturgess, 44, died after coming into contact with a discarded perfume bottle which had housed the chemical weapon in Amesbury in July 2018.

May said of the inquiry: “I would hope by the end of it the family and friends of Dawn Sturgess feel it has got to the truth.”

Sue Gray skips first council of nations and regions despite new role

Sue Gray will not attend the Prime Minister's council of nations and regions despite her new title as special envoy.

Sir Keir Starmer's former chief-of-staff is understood to be taking a break between her roles after finding herself the centre of media attention.

Cabinet Office minister Pat McFadden said Gray had “been through quite a lot” and would be taking some time out.

Focused on investment and growth, the Council will see First Ministers and Deputy First Minister from the Devolved Governments come together with regional mayors to collaborate and seize opportunities to secure long-term investment and boost growth.

The First Minister of Wales, Eluned Morgan, will join the Prime Minister, the First Minister of Scotland, the First Minister and deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland and regional mayors from England for the event.

Dispute erupts over claims Rachel Reeves may raise capital gains tax to 39%

Rachel Reeves has been warned that a significant increase in capital gains tax could jeopardise her ambitions for fostering economic growth.

This warning comes amid controversy regarding claims that the Chancellor has instructed Treasury officials to assess capital gains tax rates of 39 per cent and 33 per cent, considerably higher than the second home rate of 24 per cent.

Although those close to Reeves have attempted to downplay rumours surrounding the Budget and accusations of disorganisation, these concerns have surfaced during a period of heightened scrutiny for both the Chancellor and Sir Keir Starmer.

Time is running out for Reeves to plug a £25bn gap in spending commitments and available financing identified by the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS).

Jenrick refutes claims of shifting to the political centre if he becomes leader

Robert Jenrick has denied a claim he privately told Conservative MPs that he would guide the Tories back to the political centre ground if he becomes leader.

A shadow cabinet member alleged that Jenrick had "assured me he would move toward the centre" and suspected he had conveyed a similar message to other MPs, according to the i newspaper.

There has been some concerns raised by moderate Tories that the leadership competition is between two candidates who are on the Right of the Party.

Asked if he had promised anyone that he would return to the centre if he became leader, Jenrick said: "I haven’t said that, no. But let me just address the broader point that it raises because there are those who say that the Conservative Party, were I to lead it, is going to shift to the Right.

"I actually don’t see these labels as at all relevant. What I want to see is the Conservative Party occupy what I describe as the common ground of British politics. Those are the things that millions of our fellow citizens care about," he told the BBC.

Economy grows in August after two flat months

The UK economy grew in August after it was flat in the previous two months, according to the latest official figures.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said gross domestic product (GDP) recorded 0.2 per cent growth in August, up from no growth in June or July.

It was in line with economist predictions but is nevertheless a boost for Chancellor Rachel Reeves ahead of this month’s autumn Budget.

ONS director of economic statistics Liz McKeown said: “All main sectors of the economy grew in August, but the broader picture is one of slowing growth in recent months, compared to the first half of the year.

“In August, accountancy, retail and many manufacturers had strong months while construction also recovered from July’s contraction.

“These were partially offset by falls in wholesaling and oil extraction.”