Nigel Farage tables private prosecution against Labour's Jonathan Reynolds over 'CV lies' - 'Never had a proper job!'

Ex-Army chief warns Starmer the 'freeloading days' are over as he SLAMS Labour’s 'lack of urgency' on defence spending

A former Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff has warned Keir Starmer’s Labour Government that the “freeloading days” are over, and defence commitments “must change.”

Addressing reports of when Labour would reach 2.5 per cent of GDP on defence spending, Sir Simon Mayall ripped into the Government for a “lack of urgency” in achieving its own spending targets on defence.

Mayall went on to warn that the UK was “probably only spending 1.6 or 1.8 per cent on the Army, Navy and Air Force”, and that the dependence on the United States for defence must end.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Tories urged to STAND ASIDE as Reform UK eyes up Mike Amesbury's seat

The Conservatives have been urged to stand aside to make way for Reform UK in a possible by-election in disgraced MP Mike Amesbury's seat.

Jason Moorcroft, who stood for Nigel Farage's party in Runcorn & Helsby at the General Election last summer, was asked about Reform's chances by GB News - and agreed with host Patrick Christys that the best way to "get Labour out" would be for the Tories to stand aside.

Polling by Electoral Calculus has Reform just over 2 percentage points below Labour in the Cheshire seat - with the Tories on just under 14 per cent.

But Moorcroft separately told The People's Channel that he has not yet been asked to stand at a potential by-election - just hours after GB News' Political Editor Christopher Hope reported that Leave.EU campaign boss Arron Banks could be drafted in to contest the seat.

Why is Reform UK bringing a private prosecution against the Business Secretary?

Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds is set to be subjected to a private prosecution at the hands of Reform UK, Nigel Farage has said.

Under section 17 of the Legal Services Act 2007, pretending to be a solicitor is a criminal offence.

Senior Conservatives including Reynolds's shadow counterpart Andrew Griffith and Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick have said the allegations that Reynolds lied on his CV should force his resignation.

And Reform UK appears to be operating under the same framework.

"We have a Chancellor - dubbed by our Northern professional comic Lee Anderson as 'Rachel from Accounts' - who tells us she spent 10 years as an economist at the Bank of England. Now we know it was 4.5 in customer complaints! Is it any wonder we're in such trouble?" Farage said.

"And a Business Secretary, Jonathan Reynolds, who's never had a proper job in his life, who tells us he's a solicitor.

"Well he's never been qualified - which is a criminal offence.

"I can tell you tonight that there will be a private prosecution brought against Jonathan Reynolds," the Reform leader added.

Earlier: Reform rally struck by 'violent' masked protesters as tensions flare after ex-Labour MP accused of 'incitement' against Farage

Reform UK's rally in Cornwall has been targeted by masked protesters as tensions flare after ex-Labour MP Zarah Sultana was accused of "incitement".

Nigel Farage spoke out against the "dangerous" protesters ahead of tonight's event, blasting Devon & Cornwall Police for its handling of the Antifa-style demonstration outside Carn Brea Leisure Centre in Redruth.

Mask-wearing protesters, who refused to talk to local police officers after gathering at around 3.30pm, vowed to shut down the Reform rally.

Groups supporting the protest include the Bakers Food & Allied Workers Union, Radical Pride, Falmouth and Penryn Acorn, All Under One Banner Kernow, Youth Demand Falmouth and the Kernow Antifascist Network assembled in the area.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

'We won't be silenced!' Nigel Farage sends message to 'two-tier' Keir Starmer after 'violent' mob targets Reform UK rally

Nigel Farage has lashed out at "two-tier Keir" and "communist actors" after masked protesters targeted the Reform UK rally in Cornwall.

Speaking to a packed venue in Redruth in the heart of the county, Farage vowed that he and his supporters "won't be silenced" after masked "Antifa" demonstrators allegedly knocked a person's tooth out.

Earlier, he had written in a statement: "We're used to name-calling and a few eggs being thrown, but this was Antifa - very dangerous American organisation, and they're violent.

"They see violent protest as being acceptable. Somebody has already had their tooth knocked out. These are very nasty, dangerous people.

"No political protest in Britain should be allowed with people wearing masks.

"That is completely unacceptable at every level. I'm astonished that Antifa have not been banned as an organisation!"

Reform on the brink of getting SIXTH MP as top pollster puts Farage in pole position to snatch Amesbury's seat from Labour

Reform UK has been tipped to increase its MP count to six ahead of an "inevitable" by-election in Mike Amesbury's Runcorn & Helsby seat.

After this morning's news that Amesbury was slapped with a 10-week prison sentence for punching a man in the street in a late-night bust-up, top pollster Luke Tryl has warned that Reform is on track to take his constituency.

Tryl, the director of More in Common, said: "The dynamics of the now inevitable by-election - low turnout, national Government unpopular, disgraced former MP and Reform already second - mean, despite the big Labour majority, Reform would be disappointed not to win given their current polling/momentum."

Amesbury, 55, last month admitted to attacking 45-year-old constituent Paul Fellowes in Frodsham, Cheshire, in the early hours of October 26.

Amesbury's upcoming stint behind bars could spark a by-election if 10 per cent of constituents sign a petition to hold one.

Some five per cent of voters in Runcorn & Helsby have already signed a petition demanding an immediate General Election, with total signatories nationwide exceeding three million.

And Reform UK chairman Zia Yusuf - whose party finished second in the seat at the General Election - said following Amesbury's sentencing: "The great people of Runcorn deserve far better than waiting six weeks for a recall petition to take place.

"We call on Mike Amesbury to do the honourable thing and resign immediately so a by-election can be held."

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Disgraced MP Mike Amesbury to appeal prison sentence - but judge slaps down bail request 

Disgraced MP Mike Amesbury is set to appeal his 10-week prison sentence - but was refused the option of bail to organise a challenge in court today.

Amesbury's lawyer Richard Derby requested the judge return to court earlier so he could file an application for bail for his client while he appeals his sentence.

Judge Ikram returned to court, sat down, paused briefly, then said: "Application refused."

Churchill and Wellington's portraits REMOVED from Parliament as assault against greatest Britons continues

Portraits of Winston Churchill, the Duke of Wellington, and more British heroes have been removed from the Houses of Parliament after Labour's election win last summer, it has emerged.

Since the General Election, drawings, photographs and prints of historical British political leaders and monarchs have been axed across Westminster - some of which were "blacklisted" in 2020.

As many as five images of Churchill have been removed from parts of the parliamentary estate occupied primarily by MPs' offices, according to a new report in the Telegraph.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Yvette Cooper forced to rule out blasphemy laws in Britain after side-stepping Commons probe - 'Answer the question!'

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has said Labour will not be introducing a blasphemy law to Britain - despite dodging an earlier question on the topic.

Tory whip Katie Lam had urged Cooper to "give a clear answer" to the question: "Should it be a criminal offence to desecrate a Koran or any holy text, yes or no?"

The Home Secretary replied: "Well, we've been clear that the primary domestic threat comes from Islamist terrorism at three quarters of the MI5 caseload and 64 per cent of those in custody for terrorism-connected offences.

"That is followed by extreme right-wing terrorism, which also covers around a quarter of the MI5 caseload - and we already have a framework of legislation in place to ensure that we can deal with the kinds of threats to our cohesion as well as to our communities and the kinds of dangerous threats that we face."

That sparked fury from Conservative West Suffolk MP Mr Timothy, who could be heard shouting "What a disgrace, that's awful" following Cooper's remarks - and accused her of having "quite conspicuously failed to answer the question".

The Home Secretary later clarified: "The honourable member will know we don't have a blasphemy law in this country nor will we have so."

Chopper: Brexit 'bad boy' Banks 'could stand for Reform UK' in Runcorn & Helsby

Leave.EU campaign co-founder and "bad boy of Brexit" Arron Banks could be selected by Reform UK to contest a possible by-election in Runcorn & Helsby, GB News' Political Editor Christopher Hope reports.

Reform - which came second in the seat at the General Election - was represented by Frodsham councillor and local man Jason Moorcroft last summer.

But with Banks having been brought up in nearby Winsford, speculation is mounting he could be dropped in to contest the Cheshire constituency.

"Reform UK is expected to unveil its candidate this week, but party sources downplayed Banks as being given the job of winning the seat," Chopper says.

Pollsters warn of 'stop Reform' movement as by-election speculation skyrockets

A potential by-election in Mike Amesbury's Runcorn & Helsby seat would show the true size of a "stop Reform" protest vote, Luke Tryl, the director of More in Common, has said.

Though Tryl had claimed Reform UK would be "disappointed not to win" the constituency, he warned that "hardened preconceptions" about Nigel Farage's party in the strong Labour seat could work against it.

Responding to a social media user who raised the "preconceptions" point, the pollster said: "This is a good counter point... The by-election could also show the extent of 'stop Reform' turnout, or tactical voting."

Today's top story: Starmer given Reform by-election headache after ‘sucker-punch’ MP given 10-week prison sentence

Sir Keir Starmer has been given a Reform UK headache as a by-election battle looms after ex-Labour MP Mike Amesbury was handed a 10-week prison sentence for his “sucker-punch” attack last year.

Deputy Chief Magistrate Tan Ikram confirmed the Runcorn & Helsby MP would spend two-and-a-half months behind bars.

Amesbury, 55, last month admitted to attacking 45-year-old constituent Paul Fellowes in Frodsham, Cheshire, in the early hours of October 26.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

The six recalls petitions petitions initiated so far and how it produced some by-election shocks

Six recall petitions have been initiated so far since changes were made under the Recall of MPs Act 2015.

Ex-North Antrim MP Ian Paisley Jr was the only MP to survive the recall petition, with Unionist voters throwing their weight behind the DUP bigwig.

Blackpool South’s 2024 by-election came after ex-Tory MP Scott Benton opted to resign rather than face a recall petition.

Labour romped to victory in the coastal Lancashire constituency with a swing of 26.3 per cent.

The Tories also lost Brecon & Radnorshire to the Liberal Democrats in 2019 and Wellingborough to Labour in 2023.

Labour celebrated a shock triumph in Peterborough in 2019 after ex-Labour MP Fiona Onasanya was handed a three month sentence for perverting the course of justice.

Starmer’s first major victory after replacing Jeremy Corbyn leader also came in a by-election, with Labour picking up Margaret Ferrier’s former seat of Rutherglen & Hamilton West after the SNP MP lost a recall petition over breaching Covid regulations in 2020.

READ IN FULL: The damning words spoken as Amesbury was handed 10-week sentence

Deputy Senior District Magistrate Tan Ikram told Chester Magistrates' Court: "You were out drunk in the early hours.

"The attack was unprovoked. Being in drink is no excuse and as a member of parliament, you could reasonably expect robust challenge from constituents and members of the public.

"You continued the attack whilst the victim was on the ground.

"This incident may well not have come to an end had the bystander not intervened.

"Your conduct would have had impact on others watching on. You continued to rant as you left.

"Your reference to being a member of parliament in the aftermath brings negative impact to the office you are privileged to hold.

"Your profile and position of power as a servant of the people ought to be a role model to others.

"That is something you have to been mindful of in all that you do."

'They deserve better!' Labour condemns Amesbury assault as Starmer looks ahead of by-election

Labour has condemned Mike Amesbury for his assault of a constituent as Sir Keir Starmer looks ahead to a potential by-election.

A Labour Party spokesman said: “The Labour Party took swift action following Mike Amesbury’s completely unacceptable actions and he is no longer a Labour MP or a member of the Labour Party. It is right that Mr Amesbury pleaded guilty and has now been sentenced.

“Local residents in the Runcorn and Helsby constituency deserved better and we look forward to them getting the representation they deserve in the future with a new Labour MP.”

Reform demands 'immediate' by-election as recall petition looms

Reform UK has demanded an "immediate" by-election in Mike Amesbury seat of Runcorn & Helsby after the ex-Labour MP was handed a 10-week prison sentence.

Responding to the sentence from Chester Magistrates' Court, Reform UK chairman Zia Yusuf said: “Today Mike Amesbury has been sentenced to 10 weeks in prison.

“The great people of Runcorn deserve far better than waiting six weeks for a recall petition to take place.

“We call on Mike Amesbury to do the honourable thing and resign immediately so a by-election can be held.”

Starmer's 'disgraceful Chagos surrender' faces concession push as 'treacherous' Mauritius look to exploit Labour's 'sell-out' deal

Sir Keir Starmer has been warned Mauritius is looking to extract more concessions from his "disgraceful" Chagos Islands "surrender".

Mauritian Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam is under pressure domestically to secure more money from the UK and evict the US military from its Diego Garcia naval base.

A gaggle of politicians, trade unionists and writers urged Ramgoolam to ensure an end to "war and genocide" on the archipelago.

The current terms of the deal ensure that Britain's transfers sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius and pays £90million a year for 99 years.

However, Narendranath Gopee, the president of the Mauritian National Trade Union Congress, Lindsey Collen, a prize-winning Mauritian novelist, and 18 others, told Ramgoolam to “seize the moment” and “insist upon the closure of the military base on Diego Garcia”.

Responding to the push for more concessions, Tory peer Lord Daniel Hannan said: "Starmer does not mean a word he says about growth or about national security.

"If he did, the first thing he would do is call a halt to this disgraceful surrender."

James Glancy, a former Royal Marine who stood as a Brexit Party MEP in 2019, added: "Mauritius is already planning on reneging on Labour's sell out deal of the Chagos. Treacherous idiots."

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Stamer doubles-down on commitment to send UK troops to Ukraine as Russia's invasion reaches 'grim milestone'

Sir Keir Starmer has doubled-down on his commitment to send British troops to Ukraine with the "right conditions in place".

The Prime Minister opened by paying tribute to Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky, adding it is "right" that this "grim milestone" is marked together.

Turning his attention to Donald Trump, Starmer said that the 47th President has "changed the global conversation" around the war in Ukraine.

"It has created an opportunity," he also claimed, adding that Ukraine "must have a seat at the table".

Rachel Reeves's 'triple whammy' tax raid to lead to 'tsunami of closures' across UK pharmacies

UK pharmacies are facing a £250million financial crisis from April due to rising costs, including from Chancellor Rachel Reeves's National Insurance raid, with industry leaders warning of imminent service cuts unless the Government provides urgent funding support.

The National Pharmacy Association (NPA), representing 6,000 independent community pharmacies, has warned it will recommend collective action if new funding is not announced imminently.

The crisis comes as pharmacies across the country face a triple burden of increased National Insurance contributions, National Living Wage rises, and higher business rates.

Unlike other businesses, pharmacies cannot raise their prices to offset these costs, as approximately 90 per cent of their work is funded through the NHS.

Industry experts warn this could trigger widespread closures, with many pharmacies already "hanging on by their fingernails".

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

'He has every reason to be rattled!' Keir Starmer's latest attack on Reform torn apart after claiming Farage is 'not the answer' for Britain

Leader of Reform UK in the London Assembly has claimed that Labour has "every right" to be "rattled" by the party, following Sir Keir Starmer's latest attack on Reform and leader Nigel Farage.

Speaking to GB News, Alex Wilson AM said his party is "surging" in popularity, citing latest polling which places Farage's movement ahead of the Conservatives.

Taking aim at Reform UK, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer told the Scottish Labour Conference in Glasgow that Farage's party are "not the answer for Britain", branding right-wing politics as "dangerous".

Starmer stated: "The alternative they offer is alien to working people. They claim to be the party of patriotism, but they're fawning over Putin."

"They're not the answer for working people in Britain, and they are not the answer for Scotland."

Defending Reform UK, Wilson hit back at Starmer's remarks: "Labour are rattled, and they have every reason to be."

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

'We stand with Ukraine!' Starmer slams Putin's 'barbaric' invasion on anniversary of Russia's onslaught against ex-Soviet state

Sir Keir Starmer has slammed Vladimir Putin over his "barbaric" invasion of Ukraine on the third anniversary of Russia's onslaught against the ex-Soviet state.

The Prime Minister said: "Three years on from Putin's barbaric full-scale invasion of Ukraine, we face a once in a generation moment for our collective security and values.

"We continue to stand with Ukraine for a just and lasting peace. Slava Ukraini."

Britain braces for influx of migrants as Trump's plan to take over Gaza could flood UKeditsharetrending_up

Britain is bracing for an influx of migrants as US President Donald Trump’s plan to take over Gaza could flood the UK.

Trump’s “Make Gaza Great Again” scheme has sparked controversy as it would see two million Gazans forcibly removed from the area.

The US President called the Strip a “demolition site”, vowing he would turn it into “something the entire Middle East can be very proud of".

Isam, a Palestinian opposition group supporter whose named has been changed, told The Sun: “Trump has suggested we go to Egypt or Jordan but we’d be swapping one hell for another.”

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Trump invited to stay with King at Balmoral in Starmer's push to win over White House

Donald Trump has been invited to stay with King Charles at Balmoral as Sir Keir Starmer hopes to win over the royal-mad President.

A senior source told The Sun: “Balmoral would be the obvious choice."

Trump, who frequently brings up his late mother's Scottish roots, was handed a state visit in 2019.

A Whitehall insider said: “He’s already been to Windsor and Buckingham Palace, so Balmoral is being talked about.

“Everyone knows he loves Scotland and it’s near his golf course.”

Trump would become the first US President to embark on two state visits to the UK if a second invitation was received by the Oval Office.

However, Buckingham Palace and Downing Street both declined to comment.

Miliband accused of 'playing into Vladimir Putin's heands' after fracking site decision

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has been accused of "playing into Vladimir Putin's hands" after approving plans to concrete over Britain's remaining fracking sites.

Lord Mackinlay, chairman of the Net Zero Scrutiny Group and organiser of the letter, told The Daily Telegraph: "The recent discovery in Lincolnshire should remind people of the madness of Red Ed’s sacred Net Zero.

"He is choosing to leave vast reserves of natural gas untouched at a time when our energy prices are the highest in the world.

"Salting the earth by concreting these wells shuts off a vital resource in very uncertain times, playing into Vladimir Putin’s hands exactly at a time when we need to be strengthening our energy security."

In a letter, signed by former Conservative leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith and ex-Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden, top Tories added: "If this concreting order goes ahead and Britain’s only shale gas wells are destroyed, the British public will be left in no doubt that this is an ideological Government that prioritises an extreme net zero agenda and ideological purity rather than this country’s national security and people’s bills."

A Department for Energy, Security & Net Zero spokesman said: "We intend to ban fracking for good and make Britain a clean energy superpower to protect current and future generations."

'Hamas collusion!' Badenoch demands answers from BBC boss over Gaza documentary scandal

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has demanded answers from BBC boss Tim Davie over last week's BBC2 film narrated by the son of a Hamas official.

In her letter, the Leader of the Opposition said that the apparent bias in the BBC’s reporting of the conflict was not an "isolated incident" and any review must root out the "systemic and institutional bias against Israel".

She added: "Surely it should have been immediately apparent that the programme was fundamentally flawed?

"Such an investigation must consider allegations of potential collusion with Hamas, and the possibility of payment to Hamas officials."