Tory and Labour MPs unite in FURY as BBC labels Hamas leader a 'moderate'

Starmer gives thanks to Andy Murray for 'phenomenal entertainment and sportsmanship'

Andy Murray has been described as a “true British great” as his tennis career ended with defeat in the quarter-finals of the Olympic men’s doubles.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer posted on X saying: “1 Davis Cup, 2 Olympic golds and 3 Grand Slams.

“But more than that, thanks @andy_murray for two decades of phenomenal entertainment and sportsmanship.

“A true British great.”

Starmer and Lammy welcome Russian prisoner swap as two British nationals freed

The Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary have welcomed the prisoner swap between Russia and the West which has seen British nationals Vladimir Kara-Murza and Paul Whelan released.

Among those released by Moscow are Mr Whelan, a corporate security executive with joint British nationality from Michigan, who has been jailed since 2018 on espionage charges he and Washington have denied.

Also freed was Mr Kara-Murza, who has joint Russian and British nationality and is a Kremlin critic and Pulitzer Prize-winning writer who was serving 25 years on charges of treason – widely seen as politically motivated.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer posted on X saying: “I welcome the release of a number of prisoners held in Russia, including Vladimir Kara-Murza, Paul Whelan and Evan Gershkovich.

“My thoughts are with them and their loved ones as they are reunited.

“We will continue to call on Russia to uphold freedom of political expression.”

Foreign Secretary David Lammy said: “I strongly welcome the news that Russia has released a number of prisoners today, and am particularly relieved that British nationals Vladimir Kara-Murza and Paul Whelan will soon be reunited with their families.

“Mr Kara-Murza is a dedicated opponent of Putin’s regime. He should never have been in prison in the first place: the Russian authorities imprisoned him in life-threatening conditions because he courageously told the truth about the war in Ukraine.

“I pay tribute to his family’s courage in the face of such hardship and hope to speak to him soon.

“Paul Whelan and his family have also experienced an unimaginable ordeal. I look forward to speaking to him as he returns home to his family in the United States after over five years in detention.”

Scottish Tories will elect new leader by end of September

The new Scottish Conservative leader to replace Douglas Ross will be elected by the end of September.

MSPs Russell Findlay and Brian Whittle are both running for the job.

The dates for the contest have been announced with nominations opening on August 8 before the winner is revealed on 27 September.

'It's a crime': Keir Starmer resolves to crack down on riots as he announces new plan to end violent disorder

The Prime Minister has announced a "national capability across police forces to tackle violent disorder" in the wake of the riots which have rocked the UK in the last two days.

Violence had erupted on the streets of Southport, Hartlepool and London in the aftermath of a stabbing attack in the former - with police, mosques and individuals all targeted by mobs.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Prime Minister launches new unit to END violent riots across Britain

Sir Keir Starmer has announced a new "capability" across police forces to combat the violent disorder seen in parts of England and called those behind it a "tiny, mindless minority in our society".

At a press conference in Downing Street, the Prime Minister said “fear is an understandable reaction” to the attack, but called on everyone to give families the space to grieve and authorities time to do their job.

“There will be a time for questions and we will make sure that the victims and families are at the heart of that process,” he said.

“That’s the very least that we owe these families. But we also owe them justice. So, while there’s a prosecution that must not be prejudiced, for them to receive the justice that they deserve the time for answering those questions is not now.

“I remind everyone that the price for a trial that is prejudiced is ultimately paid by the victims and their families, who are deprived of the justice that they deserve.

“Let me now turn to the actions of a tiny, mindless minority in our society, because in the aftermath attack, the community of Southport had to suffer twice.

“A gang of thugs got on trains and buses, went to a community that is not their own, a community grieving the most horrific tragedy, and then proceeded to throw bricks at police officers – police officers who just 24 hours earlier had been having to deal with an attack on children in their community.”

Keir Starmer demands 'space to grieve' for families in Stockport

Sir Keir Starmer has began a news conference by saying the victims' families' pain "is unimaginable" after three children were stabbed to death in Stockport.

He added that they need "space to grieve" and authorities must be given time to do their job.

The Prime Minister said the violence that followed the deadly attack on Monday meant its community "had to suffer twice".

Chief Constable says Merseyside Police is 'determined to get justice' after violent riots

Merseyside Chief Constable Serena Kennedy told a meeting organised by Keir Starmer that the force is “determined to get justice” for the deadly attack on Monday, and to identify all those who took part in rioting on Tuesday in the seaside town.

Merseyside Police said “a large group of people – believed to be supporters of the English Defence League” – began to throw items such as bricks towards a mosque at about 7.45pm on Monday.

In a post on social media, the force said shops had been “broken into and looted”, adding that “those responsible will be brought to justice”.

Sir Keir Starmer says 'action will be taken' following 'violent disorder' across England

The Prime Minister summoned police chiefs to Downing Street on Thursday afternoon following scenes of violent unrest in London, Hartlepool and Manchester overnight.

At the meeting, he told the senior officers: “I wanted to send a message to each of you and, through you, your officers to say that this Government supports the police, supports what you are doing, and to be absolutely clear: This is not protest, this is violent disorder and action will be taken.

“This Government will make sure you have got the powers you need and will back you in using those powers.”

Police chiefs have just arrived at Downing Street to meet Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood.

Sir Keir Starmer to address the nation as he makes emergency statement following riots across Britain

Sir Keir Starmer will address the nation to make an emergency statement after Britain was gripped by riots following the death of three children in Southport.

The Prime Minister is scheduled to hold a press conference in Downing Street at 4pm today.

Starmer's address will come just hours after the Prime Minister is due to meet with police chiefs following dozens of arrests related to unrest across the country.

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Suella Braverman says Tories must deal with 'existential threat' and warns: 'I hope I'm not driven out and forced to join Reform'

The Conservative Party has to see off the threat from Reform UK if it wants to win power at the next general election, Suella Braverman has said.

But she said that she would not defect to Reform UK - unless pushed out by her party - and confessed she had given up all ambitions to lead the Conservatives.

Braverman also warned that the Labour Government will undo Brexit, saying: "I do feel very, very, heartbroken by that prospect."

In a wide ranging interview with GB News' Chopper's Political Podcast, Braverman said that she had given up all ambition about leading the Tory party. She said: "That will be it for me."

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Interest rate cut brings boost for Labour as Tories 'puzzled' about Sunak's July election decision

The Bank of England has handed Labour a boost by cutting interest rates for the first time since 2020.

Threadneedle Street slashed the rate from 5.25 per cent to five per cent.

Labour will hope the announcement positively impacts homeowners and alleviates the pressures felt throughout the cost-of-living crisis.

Rishi Sunak expressed his concern about Labour's pay rises potentially resulting in a future spike.

"My concern now is that Labour's inflation-busting public sector pay rises have put further cuts at risk," he said.

However, the former Prime Minister faced questions about why he did not hold on to call a general election in the autumn.

A Tory activist said: "I agree, which makes it puzzling why you called a general election for July.

"People needed more time to see just how well the UK is doing compared to other countries.

"UK is the fastest growing economy in the G7, lower inflation than the US and EU zone and interest rate cuts."

Starmer to hold emergency meeting with police chiefs after second night of violence plagues Britain

Sir Keir Starmer is set to hold an emergency meeting with senior police officers in Downing Street following violent scenes across England yesterday.

The Prime Minister will look to ease tensions after unrest in London, Hartlepool and Manchester.

Southport, where three children were killed in a brutal stabbing, also witnessed violence.

A 17-year-old boy was charged with the murders of the young girls.

More than 100 people were arrested in London as demonstrators lobbed beer cans and glass bottles at police.

A group of angry protesters chanted: "We want our country back."

Eight people were also arrested in Hartlepool, Cleveland Police has confirmed.

Starmer is expected to praise officers for their "bravery" in dealing with the incident in Southport and its aftermath.

He will also encourage them to use their powers to “stop mindless violence in its tracks”.

Badenoch loses crown! Jenrick emerges as new Tory leadership frontrunner

Robert Jenrick has overtaken Kemi Badenoch as the bookies' favourite for Tory leader.

William Hill slashed the former Immigration Minister's odds from 13/8 to 9/4.

Badenoch, who was seen as the favourite to succeed Rishi Sunak well-before the 2024 General Election, saw her odds drift out from 6/4 to 2/1.

Tom Tugendhat is in third place on 9/2, James Cleverly is fourth on 7/1, Dame Priti Patel is in fifth on 10/1 and Mel Stride is in sixth on 16/1.

GPs to strike for first time since 1964

GPs across England have voted to strike for the first time since 1964, in what could be a major test for the new Labour Government.

Members of the BMA voted overwhelmingly in favour of taking collective action in a ballot this morning.

The group is the first of unionised public sector workers to announce strike action since the July 4 election.

‘Hang your head in shame!’ Lee Anderson demands Rachel Reeves’s resignation after Labour tax rises: ‘Lied through their teeth’

Reform UK MP Lee Anderson says Chancellor Rachel Reeves should resign after she admitted some taxes will be raised in October.

The government has said it will have to increase taxes in the next Budget to plug a £22bn “hole” in the public finances.

Speaking to Mark Dolan, Lee hit out at Reeves and said Labour have already u-turned on a cornerstone manifesto pledge.

“It’s just lies. 14 years of getting ready for government, they have been banging on about austerity and tax and three weeks after being elected, what have they done?”, he asked.

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Cleverly warns Tories need to get 'act together' amid Labour tax rise threat

James Cleverly has warned the Tories need to get their "act together" amid concern Labour will hike taxes.

The former Home Secretary, who is standing to succeed Rishi Sunak as Conservative Party leader, said: "We said that Labour would raise taxes. Labour said they wouldn’t. We lost the election (our fault). Now Labour say they will raise taxes.

“[The Conservatives] need to get our act together, hold Labour to account and protect the British people from this Government.”

Starmer fears Badenoch the most, Labour bigwig claims

Sir Keir Starmer fears Kemi Badenoch more than any other Tory leadership hopeful, Labour Lord Peter Mandelson has claimed.

The Labour grandee, who voices much support for the Prime Minister, claimed the ex-Business Secretary's readiness to call out "wokery" sets her apart from her leadership rivals.

Mandelson said: "She is not afraid to speak her mind (although an occasional filter might be handy) or to call out the sort of ‘wokery’ many voters dislike. I noticed my companions turning in her direction."

However, the former European Commissioner for Trade also warned Tory fortunes could get even worse.

He wrote: “Next time, when people have got used to a Labour Government and grown to like Keir Starmer’s unpretentious style, his current vote-share may turn into a floor rather than a ceiling.

"Conservatives should not assume that things cannot get worse for them.”