'Winston Churchill would be turning in his grave!' Robert Jenrick left 'sickened' by 'degrading' Trump-Zelensky shouting match

Starmer and Johnson break silences on Zelensky as PMs past and present push for peace

Downing Street has broken its silence on tonight's US-Ukraine row - which looked to have undone all the positive messaging coming from the White House yesterday.

A spokesman said: "The Prime Minister has tonight spoken to both President Trump and President Zelensky.

"He retains unwavering support for Ukraine, and is doing all he can to find a path forward to a lasting peace based on sovereignty and security for Ukraine.

"The Prime Minister looks forward to hosting international leaders on Sunday including President Zelensky."

Meanwhile, staunch Ukraine backer Boris Johnson also released a statement in support of the embattled Zelensky.

"It's time for cool heads and to remember that the US and Ukraine are on the same side," he said.

"Volodymyr Zelensky has led his people heroically for three years against completely unprovoked aggression from Russia.

"The bravery of the Ukrainians has been amazing. Their suffering has been appalling. It is they who deserve our support and they who frankly deserve our respect.

"The best way forward now is for the minerals deal to be signed as soon as possible. There is still a path to peace. Slava Ukraini!"

Swinney's SNP caps UK support for Zelensky - as Labour STILL silent

SNP leader and Scottish First Minister John Swinney has backed Volodymyr Zelensky late this evening - but Labour's big names are remaining silent.

"Today's events in Washington are a clear cause for deep concern, for shock, for anger," Swinney said on social media.

"What we need now are cool heads and clear thinking. We must stand firm with our European allies in the steadfast defence of Ukraine. That is where Scotland stands."

For now, Downing Street has pointed to Sir Keir Starmer's calls earlier this week for a "just and lasting peace" in Ukraine.

EU draws battle lines after Trump leaves Zelensky in the lurch

The EU's foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has laid down the gauntlet for the bloc to step up and "lead the free world" following this afternoon's chaos in the White House.

"Ukraine is Europe! We stand by Ukraine," she said in a statement on Friday night.

"We will step up our support to Ukraine so that they can continue to fight back the agressor.

"Today, it became clear that the free world needs a new leader. It's up to us, Europeans, to take this challenge."

Cleverly offers heartfelt message to 'sons and daughters of Ukraine'

Ex-Foreign Secretary James Cleverly has offered a heartfelt statement in support of Ukraine - joining a growing list of Tory top brass to speak out for Volodymyr Zelensky.

"Even if the UK is the only country in the world supporting Ukraine, we should keep supporting them," he wrote on social media.

"They are on the front line of our defence. Their sons and daughters are fighting and dying for our freedom.

"We should be thanking them."

Reform UK's Dame Andrea Jenkyns: 'This is public humiliation, this is wrong'

Reform UK's Greater Lincolnshire mayoral candidate and ex-Tory Minister Dame Andrea Jenkyns has become the first major voice in the party to condemn this evening's events.

She said: "I like Trump and Vance, and they have every right to challenge and fund what they wish with US taxpayers' money.

"But I am cringing at the videos of them with Zelensky. Firm words in private, Yes, but not staged public humiliation. This is wrong.

"Whatever you think of Zelensky, the Ukrainian people have been through so much devastation and have been fighting for their sovereignty.

"If another country had invaded Britain, we would rightly fight for our freedom."

Silence from Labour and Reform UK as British fury grows - outrage from Tories, Lib Dems AND Greens

Labour and Reform UK's biggest names have remained quiet so far on this evening's Ukraine-US shouting match.

Meanwhile, top Conservatives, Lib Dems and even Greens have been clear in their outrage at the spectacle in the White House.

Robert Jenrick, Kemi Badenoch and James Cartlidge have led the Tory condemnation of Donald Trump and JD Vance's remarks - and have now been joined by Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey and ex-Greens leader Caroline Lucas.

"This is thuggery from Trump and Vance, plain and simple," Davey said. "They are bullying the brave true patriot Zelensky into accepting a deal which effectively hands victory to Russia.

"Unless the UK and Europe step up, we are facing a betrayal of Ukraine."

Meanwhile, Lucas has lent her support to Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, retweeting his social media post which reads: "Dear Zelensky, dear Ukrainian friends, you are not alone."

Badenoch: 'War criminal' Putin is the 'villain'

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has weighed into the reaction to tonight's Trump-Zelensky spat.

She said: "Respectable diplomacy is essential for peace. We need to remember that the villain is the war criminal President Putin who illegally invaded another sovereign country - Ukraine.

"A divided West only benefits Russia. Now is the time for more cooperation, not less.

"Any peace agreement must be negotiated with Ukraine at the table, and will need security guarantees. We cannot lose sight of the fact that tonight air raid sirens are sounding in Ukraine."

Shadow Defence Secretary: 'Zelensky is a hero'

Replying to Robert Jenrick's impassioned social media post just now, Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge has hailed Volodymyr Zelensky as a "hero".

"Totally agree - Zelensky is a hero. He has led his country through unimaginable suffering and displayed the utmost bravery to defy Russia's unprovoked aggression," he said.

"In Parliament on Thursday, debating the third anniversary of the invasion, there was total consensus behind Zelensky."

'Europe MUST step up' - Britain left reeling after chaos unfolds in Washington

A Government source tells Sky News: "Let's see what happens in the coming days. Our position remains unchanged: Unwavering support for a just and lasting peace that ensures Ukraine's sovereignty and security.

"As the Prime Minister says, [there can be] no negotiations about Ukraine without Ukraine. Europe has to play its part on defence and step up."

Starmer: 'Ramadan Mubarak'

Sir Keir Starmer has extended his well-wishes to the Muslim community at the beginning of Ramadan.

"Sending my warmest wishes to Muslim communities across the UK and around the world during the holy month of Ramadan. Ramadan Mubarak," he wrote on social media.

Earlier: 'Doesn't make a difference!' Labour veteran dismisses Dodds's shock resignation - but Starmer faces foreign aid fury from own MPs

Labour veteran Baroness Harman has claimed Anneliese Dodds's shock resignation as Development Minister "doesn't make a difference" to Sir Keir Starmer's cabinet - just as the Prime Minister faces down a furious backlash from his own MPs.

Speaking on Sky News's Electoral Dysfunction podcast, the ex-deputy leader said she was "really disappointed" that Dodds "felt she's had to resign" as she heaped praise on Starmer's cabinet management.

"I think that the truth is that there is such coherence in the cabinet, and Keir Starmer's political management of the cabinet is so absolutely functional and strong, that although I don't want to take away from Anneliese on this, actually it won't make any difference to that."

But at the same time, Corybinsta Labour backbencher Diane Abbott branded other Ministers' failure to act "shameful".

"The International Development Minister resigns over massive cuts in aid to pay for war," she said.

"Shameful that other members of the cabinet have not done the same."

While fellow Labour rebel - though now an independent MP - Rosie Duffield also took a swipe at Starmer's cabinet.

"Very proud of my former Parliamentary roommate for sticking to her principles," she wrote on social media.

Arch-Starmerite Labour peer replaces Anneliese Dodds, No10 says

Close Starmer ally Jenny Chapman, Baroness Chapman of Darlington, has been appointed to replace Anneliese Dodds as International Development Minister.

A No10 statement on Friday evening confirmed that Chapman - who chaired Sir Keir Starmer's Labour leadership bid in 2020 and then became his political secretary - will be adding the ministerial role to her current position as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Latin America and the Caribbean.

Sadiq Khan BACKS Trump state visit as U-turning mayor issues sly swipe at JD Vance

Sadiq Khan has backed Donald Trump's impending return to Britain in an unprecedented second state visit.

The Mayor of London opposed Trump's first visit in 2019, but now says he supports a second one, and has claimed that while he "recognises there are big concerns... these are unprecedented times".

Khan also pointed to remarks by Vice President JD Vance who he said had "put to Prime Minister Keir Starmer that there is no freedom of speech in the UK".

Hitting back at the VP, the Mayor said: "One of the things that I can say loudly and proudly is we have freedom of speech in this country, contrary to what some may believe in America.

"The joys of a democracy is not simply voting once every four or five years, but using the rights we have to protest to make sure your views are heard loudly and clearly."

Trump's last visit to Britain cost police more than £14 million as 10,000 officers were deployed all over the country.

Rachel Reeves: 'Disappointing' to lose Dodds - but foreign aid slash is 'the right decision'

Rachel Reeves has defended Sir Keir Starmer's foreign aid funding slash after Anneliese Dodds's resignation.

Speaking to reporters at a defence sector "round table" in Lincolnshire, the Chancellor said: "Anneliese is a friend and has been a good colleague, and it's disappointing to lose a colleague.

"The decision to spend 2.5 per cent of GDP on defence is the right decision. The world has changed. We can see that all around us, in Europe and beyond.

"We have to uplift what we spend on defence, and we have funded that by reducing the international aid budget.

"That is the right decision in the circumstances that we face today as a nation. And that's why Keir Starmer made that announcement on Tuesday this week."

Rayner admits to opening and drinking bottle of whisky in Starmer's office - without realising it was 'last gift from a close friend who died 4 years prior'

Angela Rayner has admitted to drinking from a bottle of whisky in Sir Keir Starmer's Downing Street flat - without realising it was a treasured gift from a close friend of the Prime Minister who had died four years ago.

Rayner, 44, told The Times: "I found a bottle of whisky. And - yeah - I opened it. When he comes back, I'm going: 'Keir! This is such nice whisky!' And he's standing there, looking at me, going: 'Errrrr...'"

She said the bottle was a treasured prime ministerial possession - a final gift from one of Starmer's closest friends before their death.

"Starmer had never intended it to be drunk," she said. "I felt really bad when he told me... I was like: 'Oh my God, I'm mortified!'"

Donald Trump 'recognises the strength' of 'rational' Chagos deal, No10 claims

Donald Trump "recognises the strength" of the Chagos Islands deal, Downing Street has said, after the US President appeared to back the handover yesterday.

Despite intense speculation that the President would move to veto the giveaway, Trump said he thought it would "work out very well", adding: "We'll be inclined to go along with your country. It doesn't sound bad!"

He added that it was a "very long-term, powerful lease, a very strong lease" - referring to a move to rent out a UK-US base on the island of Diego Garcia for 99 years, with the option for an additional 40.

However, Trump did offer a back-door for a thumbs down, adding: "It's a little bit early... We have to be given the details."

And today, the Prime Minister's official spokesman has said: "We welcome the fact that the President recognises the strength of this deal, which is rooted in a rational and hard-headed determination to protect UK security."

Our top story: Keir Starmer suffers shock resignation as Dodds accuses PM of 'following Trump's lead' with foreign aid cut

Sir Keir Starmer has been rocked with a shock resignation after Anneliese Dodds quit as International Development Minister over the Prime Minister's decision to slash foreign aid.

Dodds, who served as Shadow Chancellor and was a close ally to the Prime Minister, quit her post just days after Starmer confirmed the cut will be used to plug a surge in defence spending.

In her letter to the Prime Minister, Dodds wrote: “Ultimately, these cuts will remove food and healthcare from desperate people – deeply harming the UK’s reputation.

"I know you have been clear that you are not ideologically opposed to international development.

"But the reality is that this decision is already being portrayed as following in President Trump’s slipstream of cuts to USAid."

Starmer's special relationship with Trump was also referred to when Dodds explained why she was only quitting her post now.

"As I stated to you earlier this week," she explained, "it was imperative that you had a united Cabinet behind you as you set off for Washington."

READ IN FULL: Keir Starmer responds to Anneliese Dodds's shock resignation

Pollster says Reform UK set to face 'first real test' after SURGE in support

Leading polling expert Sir John Curtice has warned that Reform UK now faces a "challenge" to transform itself into a "regular political party with activists across the country".

Nigel Farage's party continues to surge in the polls and secure electoral victories.

Reform UK secured a decisive victory in the Bedingfield ward in Breckland, Norfolk, winning 54.3 per cent of the vote in a recent council by-election.

The result comes in Liz Truss's former constituency of South West Norfolk, an area traditionally considered a Conservative heartland.

CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT THE FULL STORY

WATCH IN FULL: Angela Rayner reacts to Anneliese Dodds's shock resignation

Keir Starmer’s ‘sharp’ free speech response to JD Vance dissected by body language expert

A body language expert has dissected Keir Starmer’s crunch meeting with President Trump, saying his “eggshell treading reached thermonuclear proportions” as the pair faced reporters.

The prime minister came away from the Oval Office with reasons to be optimistic after Trump signalled support for a UK-US trade deal and Britain’s plan to cede the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.

Speaking on GB News, political presentation coach Graham Davies said Starmer made a “good move” in the way he sat.

“He was sitting back on one of those golden thrones”, he said.

CHECK OUT THE FULL STORY HERE

'Not up for grabs!' Streeting confirms NHS not part of US-UK trade deal negotiations

Health Secretary Wes Streeting has ruled out the NHS being part of negotiations for a trade deal with the United States.

Speaking to Sky News, Streeting said: “The NHS is not up for grabs and is not on the table in the context of trade.

“But there are a number of areas where we can and should work together to deepen the trading relationship between our two countries.”

He added: “Yesterday I had two reactions to the evident enthusiasm that you saw from president Trump for a deeper trade relationship with the UK, which is something the UK Government wants to see as well.

“Firstly, I was really excited by it. But secondly, I also know, my friend the Business and Trade Secretary [Jonathan Reynolds] was keen to remind me and colleagues last night, that the warmth and enthusiasm is the bit to get the ball rolling but the hard yards are still ahead.

“We know about president Trump. He is a hard-headed businessman and he is not a pushover and, as we heard from president Trump, so don’t take my word for it as a loyal Cabinet minister, our Prime Minister is a tough negotiator as well.

“The hard yards on this are ahead. But we do want to make progress, we want to do that quickly, we genuinely think there is a lot in it for both the UK and the US and our collective economic security.”

Streeting's comments came just hours after US President Donald Trump hinted at giving the UK a "great trade deal" following his meeting with Sir Keir Starmer in the White House.

'It's not over!' Keir Starmer faces Chagos 'fightback' as US still 'deeply concerned' after Donald Trump backs deal

Sir Keir Starmer has been left bracing for a "fight" against his proposed Chagos deal just moments after Donald Trump appeared to throw his weight behind the "sell-out" accord.

The Prime Minister, who left the Oval Office with plenty to smile about last night, was left buoyed by Trump's comments on the Indian Ocean archipelago.

Trump hinted at Mauritius conceding to a 140-year lease for the strategically significant Diego Garcia military base.

Speaking from the Oval Office, the 47th President said: "We're going to have some discussions about that very soon, and I have a feeling it's going to work out very well."

However, those concerned with the current arrangements almost immediately vowed to step up efforts to prevent a handover.

Tory peer Lord Ross Kempsell said: "The fight to maintain UK sovereignty over Chagos is not over - not least as Chagossians themselves have been completely erased from Starmer's sellout.

"Many around the President remain deeply concerned about this deal - including some present in the Oval Office. Now we go harder."

Reform UK MP Rupert Lowe added: "The Chagos Islands deal is disgustingly rotten to the core. It does NOT serve the British taxpayer. It's about human rights lawyers abusing their power to indulge their fantasies.

"It’s a betrayal. I hope that Donald Trump reconsiders his support for it. On this, he is wrong."

Keir Starmer's personal gifts to Donald Trump revealed

Sir Keir Starmer handed Donald Trump a number of rather personal gifts during his visit to the White House yesterday.

The Prime Minister, who left the Oval Office with a lot to smile about, gave the President a family tartan golf cap, some Downing Street golf balls, and some Downing Street crystal glasses.

First Leady Melania Trump also received a Liberty scarf, as well as a Chequers book and a Number 10 candles.

In return, Trump gave the Prime Minister a US football shirt with the name Starmer and the number 10 on the back.

Reform UK WINS huge election victory in Truss’s old seat as Tory heartland falls to Farage

Reform UK has scored a massive victory overnight in an election in Liz Truss’s old seat of South West Norfolk.

Voters in Bedingfield (Breckland) went to the polls for a council by-election, an important bell-weather event that indicates Reform’s potency ahead of local elections in May.

Nigel Farage’s party romped to victory with 54.3 per cent of the vote, well out ahead of unseated Conservatives on 27.4 per cent.

It comes as a fresh headache for Tory leader Kemi Badenoch who is trying to rebuild her party after July’s electoral drubbing is facing a huge challenge from Farage in the battle for right wing support.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Keir Starmer’s crunch talks with Donald Trump leaves top Tory ‘very concerned’ as PM’s ‘mad plan’ receives boost

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp has expressed concern after Keir Starmer’s showdown with President Trump.

Speaking to GB News, Philp expressed concern about Starmer’s “mad plan” to cede the Chagos Islands to Mauritius after Trump suggested he will offer his support.

The agreement includes a plan to lease back the US-UK military base on Diego Garcia at British taxpayers’ expense.

Home Secretary David Lammy has said the deal will not go ahead should Trump stand in its way due to its implications for US security.

Philp said on GB News: “Keir Starmer seems to have changed his tune when it comes to Donald Trump and I am pleased he is following Kemi Badenoch’s advice and getting stuck into trying to negotiate a trade deal with the USA, that is very welcome.

“There are lots of unanswered questions. Particularly over how a deal with Ukraine might work and how we’re going to make sure Ukraine’s security and future is guaranteed."

“Russia is an aggressive state which has a history of invading other people’s territory and we need to make sure Ukraine is properly protected.

“I am also very concerned about the Chagos Islands. Keir Starmer appears to be intent on continuing his mad plan to pay Mauritius £19bn or something in that region to give away territory that is British and has never been Mauritian.

“I’m very concerned about this whole Chagos Islands madness.”

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

‘I won’t be doing that again!’ Wes Streeting makes Trump state visit vow as he comes under fire over past attacks

Labour’s Wes Streeting has told GB News he will not stand in the way of President Trump making another state visit to the UK.

The Health Secretary had previously voiced opposition to Trump by backing a 2017 petition calling for his state visit to be denied.

The US President has now been invited back to the UK for an unprecedented second state visit, this time by Streeting’s party leader, Keir Starmer.

Asked about his previous stance on the matter, Streeting admitted “I won’t be doing that again”.

CHECK OUT THE FULL STORY HERE

Starmer invites Zelensky to No10 after success at crunch Trump meeting

Sir Keir Starmer has invited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to Downing Street after his successful meeting with Donald Trump last night.

The Prime Minister will also convene a meeting of European leaders in London on Sunday, with French President Emmanuel Macron expected to attend.

Angela Rayner promises 'new' Islamophobia definition 

Angela Rayner is expected to today promise to introduce a "new" official definition of Islamophobia.

The Deputy Prime Minister will say that the Government is "putting a name" to anti-Muslim hate.

She is looking to enlist the support of ex-Tory Attorney General Dominic Grieve to chair the council to advise Rayner's Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Nigel Farage to spark ‘political thunderbolt’ as bombshell poll hands Reform nearly 200 seats

Reform UK will, for the first time, win both the most votes and the most seats if a general election were to be held tomorrow, a new opinion poll has shown.

In a poll by Electoral Calculus, Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party has polled at 25.8 per cent, with Labour behind on 24.7 per cent and Kemi Badenoch’s Conservative party in third on 21.9 per cent.

The new opinion poll would place Reform UK on 192 seats, with Labour on 178 seats down from 404, with the Conservative party trailing on 142 seats and no longer the official opposition.

Responding to the poll, a Reform UK spokesman said: “This polling confirms what we all know, Reform has all the momentum in British politics.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Donald Trump confirms US-UK trade deal to come ‘very quickly’ in major boost to Brexit Britain

Donald Trump has promised that Britain will be in line for a "trade agreement" in a joint press conference with Sir Keir Starmer this evening.

Just hours after slapping down the EU and hailing Brexit as the "right thing at the right time", the tariff-happy President said a deal was in line to come "very quickly".

"We're going to have a great trade agreement," Trump said. "We're going to end up with a very good trade agreement for both countries, and we're working on that as we speak."

Starmer, a few minutes later, promised that he and Trump "will work on a new economic deal with advanced technology at its core".

Earlier, though Trump warned that Britain was not out of the woods on tariffs just yet, he again threatened the Brussels bloc with trade duties.

"The EU was very tough on us from the standpoint of trade," Trump said, and added that UK-US relations are in a "warm spot".

"We're talking about a very different place. A place where I have investments," the President said.