Rachel Reeves in hot water over 'deception' as 'economist' claims debunked AGAIN - 'Economical with the truth!'

Essex Police sets up major crimes 'gold group' to lead Allison Pearson probe

Essex Police has now set up a "gold group", usually reserved for major crimes, to handle its controversial investigation into journalist Allison Pearson's so-called "non-crime hate incident".

Pearson has found herself at the centre of an "Orwellian" "thought police" row over the probe after she allegedly incited racial hatred last year, while Essex Police has come under significant scrutiny from leading politicians.

Boris Johnson, Liz Truss, Robert Jenrick, Nigel Farage, Suella Braverman, Richard Tice and Chris Philp have been among those who have spoken out in defence of the Telegraph writer.

And now, it has emerged that Essex Police had set up a gold group - usually reserved for major incidents like terror attacks - to handle the investigation.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Farage hits back after 'hater' Starmer's PMQs bust-up - 'Living my best life!'

Nigel Farage has hit back at Sir Keir Starmer's PMQs jab that he was spending too much time abroad in a fresh Clacton clap-back online.

The Reform UK leader, alongside a photo of himself posing gleefully at Clacton Pier, wrote: "I would like all my haters to know that I am once again in Clacton living my best life!"

On Wednesday, Farage has told Starmer to proscribe Iran's IRGC militia at PMQs - informing the Prime Minister that it might help build some bridges with the US.

He told the PM it could "mend some fences between this Government and the incoming presidency of Donald Trump's, given that the whole Cabinet has been so rude about him over the last few years!"

Starmer had jabbed in response: "I'm glad to see [Farage] making a rare appearance back here in Britain... He's spent so much time in America recently, I was half expecting to see him on the immigration statistics!"

No10 forced to APOLOGISE after serving meat and alcohol at Diwali event: 'It will not happen again'

Downing Street has been forced to apologise to Hindus after meat and alcohol were served at its annual Diwali celebration.

No10 admitted a "mistake" had been made in organising the event - and vowed "it will not happen again".

Hinduism doesn't explicitly outlaw alcohol or meat consumption - but many of its followers choose not to drink, and some are vegetarian entirely.

The Downing Street party prompted complaints from British Hindus - including Shivani Raja, the Conservative MP for Leicester East, who said she was "greatly concerned" to hear about the event.

In a letter to the PM, Raja said: "I feel this speaks poorly against the organisation of this year's event - with a disappointing lack of knowledge of the customs and traditions that many British citizens hold dear.

"As a practising Hindu, representing thousands of Hindus within my own constituency of Leicester East, I have been deeply saddened to hear that this year's festivities were overshadowed in the greatest Office of State by negativity, as a result of this oversight."

A Number 10 spokesman said: “The Prime Minister was pleased to welcome a range of communities celebrating Diwali to a reception in Downing Street.

"He paid tribute to the huge contribution the British Hindu, Sikh and Jain communities make to our country and how the government is driven by the shared values of hard work, ambition and aspiration.

"A mistake was made in the organisation of the event. We understand the strength of feeling on this issue and so would apologise to the community and assure them it will not happen again."

Farage rips into Bank of England chief over Brexit moaning - 'the Establishment are STILL in charge!' 

Nigel Farage has laid into Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey after he called for a Starmer-style "relations rebuild" with the EU.

Bailey said that Brexit has "weighed" on the British economy and has called for relations with the EU to be rebuilt. While Bailey claimed he took "no position on Brexit per se" he added that "I do have to point out the consequences."

But Farage has hit back, accusing the governor of presiding over an economy in decline.

The Reform UK Leader wrote on social media: "The governor of the Bank of England, the man who didn't see inflation coming, wants closer ties to the EU.

"The same old failed Establishment are still in charge - and the country gets poorer."

Rachel Reeves forced to admit 'non-crime hate incidents' policing 'a waste of time'

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has blasted police for investigating children's playground comments, calling it "a waste of police time."

Speaking about reports of a nine-year-old being investigated for name-calling, Reeves said: "I don't think that that is the best use of police time."

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Now Khan CONGRATULATES Trump after election win - but can't resist fresh swipe at President-elect

Sadiq Khan has finally congratulated Donald Trump on winning the US election - but claimed some of his policies would “pose problems” for London.

The Mayor of London said: "Firstly it’s really important I say this because I abide by the rules of the game. Donald Trump has won the election; he’s going to be the President in January. And I wish him well, I congratulate him on winning the election.

“But clearly, we know from his record when he was president between 2016 and 2020 and also some of the things he’s campaigned on, there are anxieties that Londoners have, which my job as the mayor is to articulate those,” he told LBC.

Khan continued: “I think the three things that even Donald Trump supporters would agree with is his policies are protectionist, nativist, and unilateralist. I think that poses problems not just for our great country and the world but also for London.

"Now JD Vance, Elon Musk and others may have changed their mind about Trump. I haven’t - but I’m giving the President-elect the benefit of the doubt and let’s hope, fingers crossed, this president, during this term, is different from the last one."

'Farmers have been given a fair deal!' Rachel Reeves DEFENDS inheritance tax rise

Rachel Reeves has firmly stood by her decision to raise Inheritance tax in a GB News interview where she claimed that farmers have been given a "fair deal."

Labour's Budget last month announced significant changes to inheritance tax relief for family farms.

The 100 per cent relief currently enjoyed by farming families will be limited to only the first £1million of combined agricultural and business property.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Labour hangs on in all four council by-election seats by the skin of its teeth

Labour have held on to all four of their seats in last night's council by-elections but saw their vote shares fall in each.

Sir Keir Starmer's party held on to Shooters Hill (Greenwich Council), Wanstead Park (Redbridge Council), Hadley & Leegomery (Telford & Wrekin Council) and The Nedge (Telford & Wrekin Council).

Farage's letter bears fruit as Tory councillor defects to Reform in Lee Anderson's constituency - 'The Conservatives are all but EXTINCT'

A Nottinghamshire councillor has defected to Reform UK in Lee Anderson's seat of Ashfield. Councillor Dawn Justice, who represents the Underwood ward on Ashfield District Council, has quit the Tories to join Nigel Farage's party

Councillor Justice was first elected to Ashfield District Council in May 2023, defeating incumbent David Martin from the Ashfield Independents Party. She is now the first Reform UK Councillor on Ashfield District Council.

Her local campaign was supported by Ashfield's MP Lee Anderson, who also left the Conservatives to join Reform UK earlier this year - and was re-elected as a candidate for the populist party in July.

Councillor Justice said: "I am greatly looking forward to working with Lee again and with the Reform Party. I see joining Reform UK as an exciting opportunity to make a real difference locally, where a fresh approach is needed to deliver the level of services local people deserve."

Lee Anderson said: "I am absolutely thrilled that Dawn has joined the People’s Army. She represents her Underwood residents incredibly well and they are lucky to have someone who works so hard for them every day.

"Working for the people is exactly what we are about at Reform UK, so Dawn will feel right at home with us.”

"The Conservatives are now all but extinct here in Ashfield, and we will replicate this across the country in May 2025."

Reeves vows to rip up City red tape as Chancellor sets sights on 'unlocking' £80bn from pension megafunds

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has vowed to rip up City red tape and "unlock" £80billion from new pension megafunds in a fresh push for economic growth.

Reeves, who delivered her first Mansion House speech last night, claimed altering the UK's regulatory model would make Britain's economy more dynamic and more competitive.

"It was right that successive governments made regulatory changes after the Global Financial Crisis to ensure that regulation kept pace with the global economy of the time but it is important that we learn the lessons of the past.

"These changes have resulted in a system which sought to eliminate risk taking. That has gone too far and, in places, it has had unintended consequences that we must now address."

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Reynolds slammed by furious Question Time audience -'It’s just not right!'

A woman has slammed Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds who asked whether the planned increase in taxes will harm the economy and how the Government can hope to encourage entrepreneurship with the raid.

Jill Harris said that while the National Insurance change has a limited effect on her business because she only has a small number of employees, she knows others who are impacted.

She said: “I have a friend who is a hairdresser and his costs are going to go up £2,000 a month as a result of the increase in the national minimum wage and also changes to National Insurance."

Reynolds was also confronted by a second audience member who blasted the Government’s plans as “just not right!"