Nigel Farage calls for Antifa to be proscribed as a 'hate organisation' after Reform UK protests in blistering letter to Yvette Cooper

Lord Nelson portraits replaced by images of YVETTE COOPER in Parliament in latest BLM-inspired diversity drive

Portraits of Lord Nelson have been taken down on the Parliamentary estate after a Black Lives Matter-inspired diversity review, it has emerged.

A pair of paintings of the Trafalgar hero have been taken down since the review - which started in 2020, when the Parliamentary Art Collection was subjected to an audit for "links to slavery and racism" in the wake of the Black Lives Matter protests.

One of the two axed depicts Nelson dying for his country at the Battle of Trafalgar - while a portrait of Sir Francis Drake, another naval commander was also removed.

At the same time, portraits of Labour's top brass including Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and ex-Culture Secretary Baroness Hodge have been installed as part of a push to boost gender and ethnic diversity.

Cooper has spoken out on rejigging the collection as part of a Labour mission to "modernise" Westminster.

In 2024, she said: "Westminster is a changing place, with more women MPs, people from ethnic minorities and people with disabilities.

"It would be great to see this change increasingly represented in the artwork around the estate, providing encouragement and inspiration for future generations of politicians."

It comes just a day after The Telegraph reported that images of Sir Winston Churchill, the Duke of Wellington and more British icons had been axed in Westminster - but a parliamentary spokesman stressed that the thousands of artworks in Parliament are moved around on a regular basis.

"There are more than 26,000 items within Parliament's Collections, and there are regular movements, for example due to maintenance works in an area, changes to the occupancy of offices or spaces and conservation needs," the spokesman said.

Keir Starmer hits back at claims he's 'Nigel Farage in disguise' as PM blasts Reform UK for 'fawning over Putin'

Sir Keir Starmer has attacked Nigel Farage for "fawning over Putin" as he faced questions after announcing a defence spending hike today.

Pressed by GB News' Political Editor Christopher Hope on whether he was "Nigel Farage in disguise" after his spending boost mirrored that promised in Reform UK's election manifesto, Starmer said: "Nigel Farage is fawning over Putin.

"That is not patriotism. That is not what working people need. What I have done is take the duty of Prime Minister seriously - ensuring our citizens are safe and secure."

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Starmer addresses the nation on defence spending hike in mirror-image speech

Sir Keir Starmer has just addressed the nation on his defence spending hike.

In an address this evening which almost exactly mirrored his speech to the Commons, Starmer hailed the strength of Ukraine, talked up his defence spending hike, and vowed Europe "must do more" to face "generational challenges".

The Prime Minister is now taking questions from the Downing Street briefing room.

Trump's Defense Secretary backs Britain in reprieve for under-fire 'special relationship'

Donald Trump's Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has lent his support to Sir Keir Starmer's defence spending hike announcement earlier today.

Writing on social media, Hegseth said he had called UK counterpart John Healey - who he said confirmed that Britain will "eventually" hike defence spending "much further".

"A strong step from an enduring partner," Hegseth added.

Lee Anderson skewers 'bewildered-looking' SNP leader over 'Putin's poodles' attack

Lee Anderson has ripped into SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn over his claims that Reform UK's five MPs were "Putin's poodles" over their apparent absence in the Commons this morning.

The Reform chief whip called the accusations "outrageous" and called on the Deputy Speaker to haul Flynn back into the House to apologise - "if you can find him".

Writing on social media later, Anderson added: "Today, the bewildered-looking leader of the SNP stated that none of us Reform UK MPs were present.

"For the record - I've spent nearly four hours in the Chamber already today."

Keir Starmer to address the nation as UK enters 'new era' - with PM admitting to 'extremely difficult and painful choices'

Keir Starmer will address the nation at 5pm today in response to "tyrant" Vladimir Putin and amid uncertainty over the US's commitment to European security.

It comes after the Prime Minister told MPs that defence spending will rise from its current 2.3 per cent share of GDP to 2.5 per cent in 2027.

The Labour leader added that the hike would be funded by slashing foreign aid - which he said was an "extremely difficult and painful choice".

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

'Desperately needed' London grooming gangs inquiry REJECTED as Labour and Sadiq Khan refuse 'repeated calls for action'

A Tory proposal to fund a grooming gangs inquiry in London has been voted down by the capital's Labour, Green, and Liberal Democrat London Assembly members.

In a move this afternoon which the Conservatives have branded "shocking", City Hall voted down an amendment to Sadiq Khan's budget which would have seen a "fully-costed" comprehensive inquiry into the existence and prevalence of grooming gangs across London.

Out of the assembly's 25 members, all eight Conservatives and the single Reform UK representative voted for the proposal.

But their nine votes were not enough to pass the motion in the face of 10 Labour, three Green, two Lib Dem and one independent AMs - all of whom voted against it.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Reform launches campaign against 'sucker-punch' MP as Farage plots to snatch Labour heartland - 'We'll give it everything!'

Reform UK has launched its campaign to contest a looming by-election in Runcorn & Helsby after its MP Mike Amesbury was jailed for punching a constituent.

New images shared with GB News from the centre of the Labour safe seat show a van with large screens on the side showing Amesbury standing in front of a police line-up wall, holding a placard reading: "Sign the petition."

Further footage of the screens show the messages: "Runcorn's Labour MP punched a constituent", "He's going to jail", and "Runcorn needs Reform UK".

Nigel Farage's party is ramping up the pressure to force a by-election in the seat. If 10 per cent of constituents sign a recall petition, voters in Runcorn & Helsby can go to the polls.

As of just after 1pm on Tuesday, over 1,800 people have signed Reform's separate petition demanding Amesbury to resign.

A statement on the party's petition website reads: "The people of Runcorn & Helsby deserve an MP who upholds the highest standards of public service."

Amesbury's "position as an elected representative has become untenable", it adds, and calls on the disgraced MP "to do the right thing and resign immediately, allowing his constituents to elect a representative they can trust".

With speculation mounting over who Reform UK might select to stand in a by-election and overturn a sizeable Labour majority from the General Election, a party source told GB News: "Every house in the constituency has already had a letter from Nigel.

"It's just about selecting a candidate. It's going to be an uphill battle - it's Labour's 16th safest seat in the country - but we're going to give it everything."

Reform UK branded 'Putin's poodles' by crowing SNP boss Flynn

SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn has appeared to label Reform UK's MPs "Putin's poodles" over their absence in the Commons during Sir Keir Starmer's defence spending hike announcement.

Flynn told the Commons: "Aside from a few of Putin's poodles who are not in their seats in this chamber here today, we are of course united in our support for the people of Ukraine and indeed in wishing the Prime Minister well in his discussions with the president of the United States later this week.

"But I am afraid that is where the unity ends - because whilst we support increasing defence spending, we cannot support the populist playbook of cutting foreign aid."

In response, Starmer said the move to slash foreign aid was "not an ideological decision".

"I absolutely understand the importance of it... It is a very difficult and painful decision, but a necessary decision," he said.

Labour accused of 'copying Reform UK's policies' after defence spending hike - 'Starmer agrees with Reform!'

Richard Tice has accused Labour of "copying Reform UK's policies" through hiking defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP from 2027.

Launching into an attack on Sir Keir Starmer - who also vowed that Britain's foreign aid budget would be slashed to pay for the increase - Reform's deputy leader wrote on social media: "Labour copy more ⁦Reform UK⁩ policies!

"We said increase defence spending to 3 per cent in 6 years. We said slash the foreign aid budget.

"Starmer agrees with Reform. We are the real opposition."

Steve Reed faces farmers' fury as Labour MP’s NFU speech rocked by ‘tractor tax protest’ - ‘I’m sorry!’

Environment Secretary Steve Reed has been forced to face farmers' fury as he delivered his speech to the National Farmers' Union.

Reed, who was met by muted delegates, was introduced by NFU president Tom Bradshaw.

However, Labour's decision to raid farmers' pockets by ending the inheritance tax exemption has sparked a backlash from the agricultural sector.

Speaking in London as protesters held banners aloft, Reed said: "I can't give the answer I know many of you want on inheritance tax but I want you to know that I understand the strength of feeling in the room and in the sector - we can see an example of that right in front of me now.

"And I am sorry that it's a decision we have had to take. I'm always going to turn up to have the conversation with. There's an opportunity to ask questions afterwards and it might be better to ask them that way."

The group of protesters were forced to lower their banners and ushered away from the main stage.

Defence spending to surge by billions in just two years as Britain gears up to battle 'Russian menace'

Britain's defence spending will rise to 2.5 per cent of GDP in just two years in a bid to battle the "Russian menace", Sir Keir Starmer has said.

In an urgent address to MPs early this afternoon, the Prime Minister pledged that £13.4billion more would be spent on defence every year from 2027.

Announcing the largest increase in defence spending since the Cold War came to a close, Starmer vowed to bring a "generational response" to combat a "generational challenge".

"Russia is a menace in our waters, our airspace and on our streets," he added.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Starmer piles pressure on America to act ahead of Washington trip and urgent statement

The Prime Minister's official spokesman has laid down the gauntlet for the US to act ahead of his trip to Washington DC.

Speaking to reporters ahead of a major announcement on defence in the Commons, the spokesman said Britain is "prepared to play a leading role" in bringing peace to Ukraine.

"Strong security guarantees are critical, but to secure a durable peace it must ensure a strong US backstop," he added.

"This can't be a temporary pause to allow Putin to re-arm."

European leaders to descend on London in just days as Starmer convenes crunch talks on Trump and Ukraine

European leaders are set to assemble in London on Sunday for crunch talks on Ukraine, a peace deal and Donald Trump, Poland's Prime Minister has said.

The Polish PM, Donald Tusk, told Bloomberg today: "We will be in London on Sunday - also with our British friends and a group of leaders, to talk about these joint plans concerning defence."

It will follow landmark trans-Atlantic meetings between Sir Keir Starmer and Donald Trump - and Emmanuel Macron and Donald Trump.

The French and American Presidents held a landmark meeting yesterday, while Starmer will be heading to Washington on Thursday.

It's said that the meeting in London on Sunday will give European leaders a chance to debrief on their encounters with Trump and present a united front going forward.

Tories poised to fight next election on ECHR exit, Jenrick tells GB News

The Conservatives are "likely" to fight the next General Election on leaving the European Convention on Human Rights, Robert Jenrick has said.

The Shadow Justice Secretary, who made leaving the ECHR a core tenet of his failed party leadership bid, was pressed by GB News' Political Editor Christopher Hope on whether it would form the fault lines for the next election.

Jenrick replied: "I have a long-standing view on this.

"Kemi said today that she thought that it was likely that we would have to do so - but she wants to do further work, and that's the work we're going to do over the course of this year."

Keir Starmer to make urgent statement to MPs on Ukraine and security update

Sir Keir Starmer will soon make an urgent statement to MPs in an update on defence, security and Ukraine.

The Prime Minister is expected to provide his update to the House of Commons at around 12.30pm.

Starmer's update comes just days before the Prime Minister meets with US President Donald Trump in Washington.

The pair, who locked horns over US-led peace negotiations, will look to smooth over relations amid growing calls for an end to the conflict.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Badenoch parks Tory tanks on Reform's lawn with ECHR pivot - 'It's limiting our ability to fight wars!'

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has seemingly parked Tory tanks on Reform UK's lawn with a pivot on her stance on the European Convention on Human Rights.

Speaking at an event in Westminster, the Leader of the Opposition said: “Over the last 20 years the ECHR rulings morphed so fundamentally that they now limit our ability to control our borders or even fight in wars.”

She added: “We cannot win a war against an opponent willing to break all the rules while we insist on playing by the most gentle of Queensbury rules.”

Reynolds issues half-hearted 'apology' over 'CV lies' after Farage vows private prosecution

Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds has issued a half-hearted apology after being accused of "fabricating" his CV by claiming to be a solicitor.

Reynolds, who never qualified as a solicitor, used social media posts and an appearance in the House of Commons to highlight his supposed experience as a solicitor in Manchester.

However, Reynolds is now facing a probe from the Solicitors Regulation Authority.

The SRA is conducting two inquiries into Reynolds's description of himself as a fully qualified solicitor on LinkedIn, his personal website and in Parliament.

Speaking to The Daily Mail in New Delhi, Reynolds said he did not think the claims had been a "huge deal" but wished to apologise if anyone had "misunderstood".

Reform cements top spot but Labour narrows lead to just 1 per cent, new poll reveals

Reform UK has cemented its pole position in YouGov's latest survey but Labour has cut Nigel Farage's lead to just one-point.

The new poll, conducted between February 23 and February 24, put the Tories on 22 per cent.

Reform retained top spot but with a two-point drop to 25 per cent and Labour was in second place on 24 per cent.

Atkins confirms Tories will AXE 'terrible tractor tax' - 'Labour's ripped the rug out from farmers!' 

The Tories will "reverse" the "terrible" tractor tax if it wins the next election, Shadow Environment Secretary Victoria Atkins said.

Speaking to GB News, Atkins said: "This Labour Government have ripped the rug out from farmers and family businesses feet by imposing this family farm tax, this death tax on family businesses, which means that in a meeting that I called yesterday with the three main farming organisations, they were telling me very clearly that it is having a huge impact on their members plans for the future, people are stopping investing in agricultural machinery and buildings and so on."

She added: "We as Conservatives have promised that when we're back in Government, we will reverse this terrible, terrible tax because we understand and we care about the terrible impact it's having on our countryside and on our family businesses."

'Another promise broken!' Top Tory slams Labour as quarterly energy price cap surges

Shadow Environment Secretary Victoria Atkins has slamed Labour after the quarterly energy price cap was put at £1,849

The six per cent surge was announced by Ofgem earlier today, leaving Atkins to warn about the "blow" facing British families.

Speaking to GB News, the Shadow Environment Secretary said: "This is the third consecutive price rise that we will see under this Labour Government.

"Let's not forget, during the General Election campaign, they promised to cut our bills by up to £300 over the course of this Parliament.

"That is yet another promise that they have broken."

Reform UK tipped to become 'by-election comeback kids' as Farage sets sights on Amesbury's seat: 'If he had a spine, he would resign!'

Former Conservative Party chairman Sir Jake Berry has predicted that Reform UK could secure victory in the upcoming Runcorn by-election, following MP Mike Amesbury's imprisonment.

Speaking to GB News, Berry hit out at the Labour MP and claimed that if he "had a spine", he would "resign".

Berry said: "It's right that he's been sent to prison because members of parliament, just like police officers, should be held to a higher standard in terms of their behaviour in public life.

"If this man had any spine or believed in the people of Runcorn and Helsby, he would resign tonight."

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Farmers descend on Westminster as 'tractor tax wipes hope'

Tractors have once again been spotted in Westminster today as farmers prepare to protest against Rachel Reeves's inheritance tax raid yet again.

National Farmers' Union president Tom Bradshaw will tell the group's annual conference that farmers will not back down from the fight.

He is expected to say: “We will fight the family farm tax until ministers do the right thing. New ministers had hardly found their way to their offices when they broke their first promise.

“And it’s one which overshadows all else, wiping out our ability to plan, to invest and, often, to hope. It hangs over our farms, our families, our futures: the family farm tax.”

Energy price cap rises for third time in a row as Britons face increase higher than experts expected

Ofgem has confirmed that the energy price cap will rise by 6.4 per cent on April 1, from £1,738 to £1,849 for the average household in England, Wales and Scotland.

This comes as a cost of living blow to millions of families as analysts had previously estimated the price cap to increase by around five per cent with energy bills now expected to be more expensive.

Last week, Cornwall Insights projected the typical annual household energy bill will rise by about £85 to £1,823 but Ofgem's announcement came in noticeably higher.

This hike is primarily due to an increase in gas prices across Europe, resulting from a dropin the amount of gas that is held in storage across the continent.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Farage viewed as the most favourable political leader as Reform UK leader sees five-point boost in new poll

Nigel Farage is favourably viewed by more people than any other political leader in Britain, according to a new poll.

The Reform UK leader now sees his favourability sit at 31 per cent - higher than any of his party leader counterparts, including Sir Keir Starmer, who has slid in the polls to the point where just 21 per cent of Britons see him in a positive light.

The new data by pollsters at Ipsos also reveals that his party has experienced the biggest positive swing since last month of 4 per cent, and sits ahead of both Labour and the Conservatives.

But it is not all positive reading for Reform - the party still sits at third place on the "net favourability" rankings at -14 per cent, behind both the Greens and Lib Dems on -5 and -12 respectively.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Disgraced 'sucker-punch' MP Mike Amesbury to receive FULL SALARY behind bars

The suspended Labour MP who was jailed for 10 weeks after being convicted of "sucker-punching" a constituent will continue to receive full pay while in prison.

Mike Amesbury, 55, who represents voters in Runcorn & Helsby, will pocket his £91,346 taxpayer-funded salary despite his criminal conviction as he is technically still a serving MP.

However, voters will have the opportunity to end Amesbury's stint as the local MP if 10 per cent of constituents sign an imminent recall petition.