Scandal-stricken Sturgeon mounts audacious comeback after 'applying for SNP candidacy'

Labour facing new pressure over Trump attacks as ally of President-elect makes demand of Lammy

David Lammy is facing further pressure over historic comments about Donald Trump, this time from a former ally of the president-elect.

Ezra A. Cohen, who served as acting under-secretary of defence for intelligence during Trump’s first term, took aim at the Foreign Secretary.

Cohen highlighted a tweet from the Tottenham MP in which he branded Trump "deluded, dishonest, xenophobic, narcissistic" and added that the Republican was "no friend of Britain."

The 38-year-old, who is in the frame for a possible national security or defense role in Trump’s second term, said on social media: "Our special relationship with the United Kingdom is of the utmost importance and must continue. Thus I look forward to David Lammy’s apology to the American people who overwhelmingly chose President Trump as our leader."

Lammy has dismissed his past comments, saying they were "old news" and stressing his ability to find "common ground" with both Trump and Vice President elect JD Vance.

Karen Pierce, the UK’s ambassador to the US, told CBS this weekend that she does not believe Lammy’s comments will hinder the relationship between the two countries.

She said: "In my experience... politicians kind of absorb those sorts of comments as part of the wear and tear of political life. What’s important is the relationship now."

Brexit-basher Barnier hails 'deep Anglo-French friendship' after meeting Starmer

The EU's former Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier has hailed the UK and France's "deep friendship" after meeting Sir Keir Starmer in Paris.

Barnier, who became Prime Minister of France in September, said: “Very happy to see you again, Keir Starmer, in Paris this morning.

“Franco-British friendship has a long history and has known trials. It will be invaluable in facing the challenges that lie ahead.

“Thank you, Mr. Prime Minister, for being with the French people on this November 11.”

Greens urge Starmer to 'take the lead' at COP29

The Green Party have called on Sir Keir Starmer to 'take the lead' ahead of the annual climate conference, this year taking place in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Green Party co-leader Carla Denyer MP said: "COP29 has set itself the goal of 'deep, rapid and sustained emission reductions now to keep temperatures under control and stay below 1.5˚C, while leaving no one behind’. But it won’t achieve that without the international leadership needed from Heads of State, Presidents and Prime Ministers.

“I welcome the fact that Sir Keir Starmer will attend. The UK has the opportunity and responsibility as the first industrial nation on Earth to provide the leadership for a just transition.

"We need the Prime Minister to show leadership on the world stage, by ensuring COP29 commits to urgently transition away from fossil fuels [and] provide the equitable and just finance promised for adaptation and mitigation, and to fund the loss and damage many are already experiencing as a result of climate impacts.

"Unfinanced is unprepared and we are both."

The Bristol Central MP continued: "Of course, these are incredibly difficult times internationally, with the European Union stalling on its actions and President-elect Trump, a climate crisis denier, once again stalking the world stage.

“But that is why it is so important that the UK steps forward to remind the world what is at stake if co-ordinated international action does not take place now."

Starmer's Trump row continues as No10 refuses to say if Ukraine safe after President-elect's victory

Downing Street has declined to say whether Sir Keir Starmer believes Ukraine will be safe after Donald Trump’s election win.

Asked whether the Prime Minister shared his Defence Secretary’s confidence that Trump would not abandon Kyiv, a Number 10 spokeswoman said: "We’re not going to speculate on positions before the administration is in place. We always welcome sustained bipartisan support in the US on Ukraine, and that’s been key to our international efforts to support.

"We expect the US to remain alongside allies like the UK in standing with Ukraine for as long as it takes to prevail over (Vladimir) Putin’s invasion."

Starmer and Macron call for 'stability' in West Bank and drive to put Ukraine in 'strongest possible position'

Sir Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron have called for stability in the Middle East and support for Ukraine in an Armistice Day meeting.

A Downing Street spokesperson said: "Prime Minister Keir Starmer met France’s President Emmanuel Macron this morning ahead of the Armistice Day commemorations in Paris. The Prime Minister thanked the President for the personal invitation, noting he was the first UK leader to attend in 80 years.

"The leaders started by discussing the situation in Ukraine, including how best to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position going into the winter.

"Turning to the Middle East, both underscored their deep concern at the situation in Gaza and Lebanon. They also reiterated the need for stability in the West Bank.

"Reflecting on the situation in the Channel, the Prime Minister set out his mission to disrupt and deter smuggling gangs across Europe, and the leaders strongly agreed on the importance of bearing down on illegal migration at every stage of a migrant's journey. The leaders agreed to stay in close touch."

Lib Dems plan to force vote on replacing Lords with elected upper chamber

The Liberal Democrats will try to hijack the government’s bill to ban Lords from inheriting their seats in parliament this week in an attempt to force a vote on an entirely elected upper chamber.

The hereditary peers bill looks to put an end to the tradition and ban the the current 92 lords who inherited their titles from sitting in the second chamber. However, the Lib Dems want to amend the bill in favour of bringing in a fully elected second chamber.

Sarah Olney, the Lib Dem Cabinet Office spokesperson, said: "It is way past time for a proper democratic reform of the House of Lords. Politicians must do all we can to restore public trust in politics after the chaos of the last Conservative government, which had no interest in reforming the Lords and instead left it as the largest second chamber anywhere in the world.

"Liberal Democrats have been at the forefront of making this case for decades and we’ll continue to press the government on this.

"The government should accept our amendment which will finally get the ball rolling on delivering a proper democratic mandate for the House of Lords."

Starmer and Macron lay wreath in Paris

Sir Keir Starmer has become the first British leader to attend French Armistice Day services since World War Two.

Alongside French President Macron, the Prime Minister laid a wreath at Arc de Triomphe.

On his visit to France, Starmer is scheduled to meet the new French Prime Minister Michel Barnier. The meeting will be their first since Barnier became prime minister in September.

Scottish Net Zero Secretary says SNP is not 'watering down' climate targets

Scotland’s Net Zero Secretary has denied “watering down” the Government’s climate targets after scrapping key emissions goals. Speaking from the Cop29 climate conference in Baku in Azerbaijan, Gillian Martin said the ultimate goal of reaching net zero by 2045 will remain in place.

MSPs voted through legislation last week that axed the Scottish Government’s legally-binding targets of lowering carbon emissions by 75 per cent by 2030.

The Government accepted in April that the goal was "out of reach" but because it was included in climate change legislation, ministers have had to bring forward the Bill to amend it.

Appearing on the BBC, the acting Net Zero Secretary, who is filling in for Mairi McAllan, was asked how she could advise developing nations on climate change when domestic targets are being missed.

Martin said: "I don’t accept that we are watering down anything in terms of our climate change targets. We are committed to net zero by 2045."

Healey hits back at reports Kyiv is unhappy with Labour support for Ukraine

Defence Secretary John Healey has rejected reported comments by Ukrainian officials suggesting Kyiv is unhappy with the Labour Government’s level of support.

He said it is "simply not correct" to say the situation is not the same as it was under Rishi Sunak and has worsened under the new administration.

It comes after the Guardian reported officials in Kyiv as having said relations have deteriorated since Labour took office and voiced frustration over Britain’s failure to provide additional long-range weapons.

Asked about the reported remarks, Healey told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: "That is simply not correct.

"We’ve stepped up with more military support. We’ve speeded up deliveries. We’re now spending more on military aid for Ukraine than ever before as a UK Government, and I spoke at length to the defence minister in Ukraine yesterday.

"He certainly doesn’t see the UK support weakening, and he said the Ukrainians are confident in Britain’s continuing and steadfast support for their country."

Starmer arrives in Paris ahead of Armistice ceremony

Keir Starmer has arrived in Paris and met with French President Emmanuel Macron ahead of the commemorations to mark Armistice Day.

The last British leader to attend the French Armistice Day commemorations was Winston Churchill, who was hosted by Charles de Gaulle in 1944,

Downing Street said Starmer and Macron will discuss "Russia's ongoing barbaric invasion of Ukraine and the appalling humanitarian situation in Gaza."

Europe has been the biggest provider of aid to Ukraine, allocating 118 billion euros (£97,791,910) since the start of the conflict, while the United States has provided 85 billion euros in total, according to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy.

Former military top brass call on Starmer to commit to defence spending

Senior Conservatives and armed forces chiefs have called on Sir Keir Starmer to commit to defence spending following Donald Trump's victory.

Lord West, former First Sea Lord and a security minister under the previous Labour government, said: "There is no doubt whatsoever that the UK needs to spend more money on defence, it is well accepted. If we need to spend it, then we need to spend it now. They've decided they're not going to put more money into defence at the moment because they want to balance the books.

"It seems extraordinary to me – why don't they just admit defence and security of our nation is not the highest priority?"

Former head of the Army Lord Dannatt told the Mail: "With Trump resuming the presidency in the US, the UK Government would be well advised to commit to 2.5 per cent on defence by a definite date, well before 2029, as soon as possible. Not to do so is a surefire way of getting on the wrong side of Trump. In any event, it is the right thing to do."

Healey says he expects US to stand by Ukraine for 'as long as it takes' following Trump victory

The Defence Secretary insisted he expects the US to stand by Ukraine for "as long as it takes to prevail over (Vladimir) Putin’s invasion" amid questions over the future of US support under Donald Trump.

John Healey said he thought the president-elect “recognises that countries get security through strength, just as alliances like Nato do."

Asked whether Ukraine’s safety had diminished since Trump’s election win, Healey told Sky News: "No, I don’t. The US alongside the UK have been two of the leading countries that have been standing by Ukraine, supporting Ukraine, our determination to do so is just as strong."

He added: "As far as President Trump goes, he recognises that countries get security through strength, just as alliances like Nato do, and I expect the US to remain alongside allies like the UK, standing with Ukraine for as long as it takes to prevail over Putin’s invasion."