Russia's foreign minister Sergey Lavrov snubbed David Lammy at a G20 summit today, "leaving his seat" before the Foreign Secretary could address him directly.
The summit, which drew foreign ministers from across the world to meet in South Africa, saw Lammy accuse Russia of having "learned nothing" from "colonial failures and wars" - and warn that Vladimir Putin's country has "no appetite" for peace.
"You know, mature countries learn from their colonial failures and their wars, and Europeans have had much to learn over the generations and the centuries," he said.
"But I'm afraid to say that Russia has learned nothing. I listened carefully to Minister Lavrov's intervention just now - he's, of course, left his seat - hoping to hear some readiness to respect Ukraine’s sovereignty."
Lammy added that he was "hoping to hear some sympathy for the innocent victims of the aggression, I was hoping to hear some readiness to seek a durable peace".
But instead, he said that he heard "the logic of imperialism dressed up as a realpolitik, and I say to you all, we should not be surprised, but neither should we be fooled".
Lammy added: "We are at a crucial juncture in this conflict, and Russia faces a test.
"If Putin is serious about a lasting peace, it means finding a way forward which respects Ukraine's sovereignty and the UN Charter which provides credible security guarantees, and which rejects Tsarist imperialism, and Britain is ready to listen."
After his speech, he told reporters that Lavrov's remarks showed there was no "appetite" for peace in Ukraine from the Russians and said Moscow's "war of attrition... must continue to be resisted by all allies in right-thinking countries".
Farage steps back as owner of Reform UK and 'hands over membership' as party 'prepares for Government'
Nigel Farage has stepped back as the owner of Reform UK
PANigel Farage has stepped back as owner of Reform UK as the party's new constitution has come into force.
The Clacton MP will remain as party leader, however, the party is now "non-profit, with no shareholders."
According to Companies House filings, the existing Reform UK Party Ltd, which was owned by Farage and Boston and Skegness MP Richard Tice, will be taken over by a newly registered business called Reform 2025 Ltd.
The new entity lists Farage and party chairman Zia Yusuf as directors but has no "person with significant control."
Yusuf said: "We are pleased to announce that, as promised, Nigel Farage has handed over ownership of Reform UK to its members. Reform UK is now a non-profit, with no shareholders, limited by guarantee.
"We are assembling the governing Board, in line with the constitution. This was an important step in professionalising the party.
"We will soon have more exciting announcements about Reform UK as we prepare for government."
Tory MP 'rescued from brothel with 12 naked women' in suspected honeytrap with 'KGB agent'
A mystery Conservative MP had to be rescued from a London brothel after suspecting he had fallen into a honeytrap with "a KGB agent", an ex-Cabinet minister has revealed.
The incident, detailed in former Tory Chief Whip Simon Hart's new memoir "Ungovernable", occurred in November 2023.
Hart wrote how he received a panicked late-night call from a drunk MP who claimed he was trapped in a room with 12 naked women.
His memoir, published in The Times, reveals he received the call at 2.45am from a "2019-er" MP who was "clearly p****d but just about coherent".
Starmer 'offers to host' crunch Ukraine summit as European leaders scramble to counter Trump just days after Scholz walk-out
Sir Keir Starmer is offering to host a Downing St summit for European leaders to discuss the European response to Donald Trump's attempts to end the war in Ukraine, GB News has been told.
No10 sources have confirmed that the Prime Minister offered a follow up meeting to the summit in Paris on Monday this week as European countries scrambled to find a response to Trump's outreach to Russian President Putin.
The meeting could see the leaders of France, Germany, Britain, Italy, Poland, Spain, the Netherlands and Denmark gather in London to discuss the 47th President's overtures.
It would also likely include the Presidents of the European Commission and the European Council, as well as the Nato secretary-general Mark Rutte.
Three quarters of Britons back Starmer's stance on Ukraine as PM braces for crunch talks with Trump
Just under three quarters of Britons back Sir Keir Starmer's stance that Ukraine's wartime election postponements are "reasonable", a new poll has found.
Pollsters at YouGov found that 74 per cent of those surveyed said it was either completely (50 per cent) or somewhat (24 per cent) reasonable to hold off on elections until Russia's invasion came to an end.
The UK Government's line has been to defend Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's lack of elections and compare him to Winston Churchill - who did the same while Britain was in the jaws of the Second World War.
But Donald Trump has labelled Zelensky a "dictator" - which critics have warned is a parroting of Kremlin propaganda.
Trump and Starmer will meet for talks next week - the first since the former's return to the White House exactly one month ago - with the PM facing an uphill battle to shift the President's stance to support Britain and Europe's support for Ukraine.
US-UK rift grows over Zelensky as Defence Secretary compares Ukrainian President to Winston Churchill
Defence Secretary John Healey has compared Volodymyr Zelensky to Winston Churchill
PA
Defence Secretary John Healey has compared Volodymyr Zelensky to Winston Churchill in a growing row over the Ukrainian President's failure to hold elections during wartime.
Donald Trump has doubled down on his claim that the Ukrainian premier was a "dictator" - and has again called for fresh elections in the war-torn country.
But Healey today hailed Zelensky's "commitment to his country" - echoing Sir Keir Starmer's backing for the 47-year-old leader.
The US President repeated his attacks on the Ukrainian leader overnight after a war of words erupted between the two two, which saw Trump criticise Zelensky for postponing elections and claiming Ukraine started the war with Russia.
Speaking at a press conference in Norway as Britain kickstarted a new defence agreement with the Scandinavian nation, Healey said that Zelensky "was a man who, stuck in his country, led his country, and still does".
"He was elected," Healey said. "He's the elected leader of Ukraine, and he's done what Winston Churchill did in Britain in the Second World War - suspended elections while at war.
“Our job is to stand with the Ukrainians, support the Ukrainians, support them in their fight. And if they choose to talk, support them in the negotiations as well."
Nigel Farage SLAMS Corbynite MP for 'attack on free speech' ahead of Reform rally
Nigel Farage has branded Labour MP Zarah Sultana's comments about Reform UK "disgraceful" and "very close to incitement" after she called for protests at the party's upcoming March rally.
This comes after the Coventry South MP drew direct comparisons between Reform UK and far-right groups, stating: "In my view, based on the comments they have made publicly about Muslims and migrants, Reform UK is comparable to the National Front and the BNP."
Sharing his response on GB News, the Clacton MP said: "I think it's disgraceful. And frankly what she said about me and about our people is very close to incitement."
Ed Davey responds to Farage's Ukraine comment - 'Deeply disappointing but not surprising'
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has hit back at Nigel Farage's comment that "you shouldn't always take things that Donald Trump says absolutely, literally" relating to the President's comments on Ukraine.
The Kingston and Surbiton MP wrote on X: "So Nigel Farage has chosen to explain away Trump’s outrageous remarks about President Zelensky instead of doing the right thing and condemning them. Deeply disappointing but not at all surprising.
"He sounds like a spokesman for Trump. He certainly doesn’t speak for Britain."
Former Tory cabinet minister warns Britain risks being in direct conflict with Russia within five years
Tobias Ellwood issued a grave warning GB News Former chair of the defence select committee Tobias Ellwood has issued a stark warning that Britain risks being in direct conflict with Russia within five years.
THe former Conservative MP for Bournemouth East said: "I’m really sorry to see that the focus on Ukraine has escalated to this public level of so-called foghorn diplomacy. I attended the US inauguration, and many there, and indeed here, I think welcome Trump’s return to the White House, knowing he’d shake things up a little bit, not least in Ukraine and Gaza.
"Everyone willing to give Trump some latitude, given his very different style of doing business. But the extent to which he’s been willing to court the enemy, to parrot the very words that Putin uses to blame Zelenskyy for the war, calling Zelenskyy, not Putin, a dictator.
"On top of which he’s ruling out any future Nato involvement in Ukraine’s long-term security, and dialling back a US military footprint in Europe, it’s taken everybody by surprise."
Reform MPs issue response to Trump's claim President Zelensky is a dictator - 'The war cannot go on forever'
Rupert Lowe has responded to claims from President Donald Trump that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is a "dictator."
The Great Yarmouth MP said: "Zelensky is not perfect, but he is not a dictator. Suspending elections, with the aim to hold a vote as soon as possible, during a war the Ukrainians did not start is fair. Trump's right. The war cannot go on forever. We need a long-term settlement tolerable to all involved."
Meanwhile, Nigel Farage said: "You should always take everything Donald Trump says seriously. You shouldn't always take things that Donald Trump says absolutely, literally. And I think that applies very much in this case.
"There's a lot of bad blood between President Trump and previous Ukrainian leaders. You know, the impeachment that happened was all because of a relationship between the Ukrainian government and the Biden family. So let's be clear. Zelensky is not a dictator.
"But it's only right and proper that Ukrainians have a timeline for elections. I recently said that I thought Keir Starmer was behaving like a dictator because we've cancelled the vote. He's cancelled the vote of 5.5 million people in local elections on May the 1st this year.
"So no, he's not a dictator. But there needs to be a timeline so that the Ukrainian people can vote on a peace deal."
It comes as the party is immediately facing its first chance of an electoral upset, this time in Priti Patel’s backyard in Witham, Essex.
Farage branded ‘plastic patriot’ over Ukraine ‘silence’ after Trump labels Zelensky ‘dictator’ as Tory defector twists knife
A former Conservative advisor who defected to Reform UK has called on the party to take a stance on Russia and Ukraine.
Tim Montgomerie, founder of Conservative Home and a Tory Party member for over three decades, defected to Farage's party in December. However, he has now called on the Clacton MP to make his stance clear and break his silence on Trump and Ukraine.
Lib Dems and Andy Burnham SLAM Farage over lack of Ukraine comment
Labour's Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham slammed Farage on social media
PASir Ed Davey has joined mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham to question why there has been no comment on Ukraine from chiefs in Reform UK.
Burnham wrote on social media: "Normally you can’t escape Reform UK MPs gobbing off on here but interesting, isn’t it, how silent they are about their friend’s campaign to undermine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Ukraine. Just when you need them to use some influence to protect British interests, they don’t."
The Liberal Democrat leader posted to social media to add: "You seem unusually quiet there Nigel Farage, any thoughts?"
Alex Story - 'Nothing illustrates how far Europe has fallen better than the response to JD Vance's speech'
Former Olympian Alex Story has told GB News a speech made by Vice President JD Vance showed how far Europe has fallen.
The former rower told GB News the intervention was the "clearest speech by an elected representative since Margaret Thatcher."
GB News members can read his exclusive analysis here.
Former Foreign Office chief warns Rachel Reeves not to cut Britain’s international aid spending
The former head of the Foreign Office has issued a dire warning to Chancellor Rachel Reeves to not cut the international aid spending.
Former lead civil servant at the Foreign Office Simon McDonald said it would damage Britain’s global reputation if she was to make cuts at this year's spending review.
He told The Guardian: "At times of financial need, development assistance is an easy target for trimming because international assistance is not generally voters’ priority.
"I hope the Treasury is not sharpening its knife for further cuts: not only has the UK’s international reputation taken a knock from the 2020 cut, the international need for such help is greater than ever with the slashing of USAid."
Labour rushed through vetting for new investment minister despite links to complex fraud cases
Starmer with Poppy GustafssonGettyLabour has been accused of rushing through the vetting process for a new investment minister despite a complicated legal past.
A watchdog group was given less than 48 hours to scrutinise former tech executive Poppy Gustafsson, who had her name mentioned dozens of times in one of the most complex fraud cases in UK and US legal history.
Gustafsson’s name was submitted for scrutiny to the House of Lords’ Appointment Commission (HOLAC) less than 48 hours before she was announced as a surprise choice for Labour's investment minister last October, Politico reports.
She was a senior employee and protégé of Mike Lynch who was found liable for financial fraud in the UK in 2022 but was cleared of multiple counts of fraud by a US court last year. The billionaire was in decade-long battle between with Hewlett-Packard (HP) the company he was accused of defrauding, and several Washington departments, including the FBI.
Lynch died in a yachting accident off the coast of Sicily just two months after he was acquitted.
There is no implication that Gustafsson herself has been involved in any wrongdoing, nor was she directly accused of any in Lynch's various court cases, where her role was only that of a witness.
A British government spokesperson said: “All processes were followed for the appointment of the investment minister, and the list of ministers’ interests will be published as part of this.”
Lisa Nandy says she will have talks with BBC chiefs over Gaza documentary
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy says she will grill BBC bosses after a documentary was accused of promoting "Hamas propaganda."
The documentary, Gaza: How to Survive a War Zone was criticised after it was revealed it featured the son of a Hamas government minister. In the documentary, Abdullah Al-Yazouri, 14, asked : "Have you ever wondered what you’d do if your world is destroyed?"
However, Abdullah is the son of deputy minister of agriculture Ayman Alyazouri, who was dubbed "Hamas royalty."
Nandy said: "This is a conversation I'll definitely be having with the Director general... Particularly about the way they sourced the people in the programme. These things are difficult... for the BBC, they're attacked for being too pro Gaza, for being anti Gaza. It's absolutely essential that we get this right."
Greens call for rent controls as private rents increased by 8.7 per cent
The Green Party has called for rent controls, calling on Labour to put a "stop to rip off rents."
Figures released yesterday by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed average UK private rents increased by 8.7 per cent in the 12 months to January 2025.
Average rents increased to £1,375 (8.8 per cent) in England, £780 (8.4 per cent) in Wales and £995 (6.2 per cent) in Scotland, in the 12 months to January 2025.
Reacting to the news, Greens co-leader Carla Denyer MP said: "Yet another unsustainable rise in rents - time for the government to put a stop to rip off rents and stop landlords treating tenants as cash cows.
"Rent controls are long overdue and are badly needed to give all renters a home they can afford."
WATCH: Shadow Foreign Secretary Dame Priti Patel calls for more defence spending
Former Home Secretary Priti Patel has called for Britain to take a leading role in boosting defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP amid growing pressure on European nations to strengthen their security commitments.
Speaking to GB News, Patel emphasised the Conservative Party's costed plan to increase military spending, highlighting the need for British leadership in defence matters.
Left-wing activists less likely to work with political rivals than other UK groups
A new study has found British Leftwing activists are less likely to work with their political opponents than other groups and more likely to think those holding different views have been misled.
More in Common found that 8-10 per cent of the population, whom they classify under the heading "progressive activists" hold strikingly different views on a range of issues than the rest of Britain.
Executive director Luke Tryl said: "Progressive activists are the backbone of many of the UK’s campaigning organisations and have often been the drivers of social change in the UK. However, their political outlook and approach to bringing about change makes them outliers from much of the wider public and those they are trying to win over.
"This report finds that a tendency to impose purity tests on those they will campaign with, overestimating how many people share their views, and using language that is inaccessible to the wider public is potentially driving a backlash against progressive causes rather than helping them to win people over."
Rupert Lowe throws down gauntlet to Reeves - 'run a small business for just one week, in this climate'
Great Yarmouth MP Rupert Lowe
GETTYReform UK MP Rupert Lowe has thrown down the gauntlet to Rachel Reeves, challenging her to run a small business for a week in "this climate"
The MP for Great Yarmouth said: "Anyone with proper business experience knows the impact that is coming in April from Labour's job tax - sadly, that does not therefore include the Chancellor or the Business Secretary. There is real fear across the business community, a crisis is coming and almost all politicians have stopped talking about it.
"We all know about the experience, or lack of it, from Reeves and Reynolds. There are 306 'senior civil servants' in the Department for Business/Trade. How many have a directorship on Companies House? One. One out of 306 has current experience. Just one. These people do NOT understand what they are doing to business owners. They just don't know or care.
"I challenge Reeves/Reynolds to run a small business for just one week, in this climate. Let's see how they get on making these decisions...What does Government need to do for business? Slash tax, cut burdensome regulation and get the hell out of our way."
Dame Priti Patel declines to comment over 'motivation' behind Trump's Zelensky comment
Shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel has declined to comment on the “motivation” behind Donald Trump’s decision to call his Ukrainian counterpart a “dictator”.
When asked about the US President's comments, the former Home Secretary said: "We don’t know. And you know, I don’t think I could comment on his motivation. What I can say, though, is he has made some very significant points consistently, in all credit to President Trump, about Europe and Europe stepping up when it comes to defence spending."
She later continued: "We want to be part of the solution. I think President Trump actually wants to work with allies that can be part of the solution and I’m basically saying, I think Britain should be at that table putting forward new suggestions and ideas."
Starmer backs Zelensky after Trump's 'dictator' comment
Sir Keir Starmer meets with Ukraine's President Volodymyr ZelenskyGettySir Keir Starmer has thrown his support behind Volodymyr Zelensky after Donald Trump called the Ukrainian President a "dictator."
Zelensky's five-year term was due to end in May 2024, but elections have been suspended since martial law was declared after Russia's invasion.
Trump had earlier criticised Zelensky, saying he had done a "terrible job" and claiming "he refuses to have elections" in Ukraine.
Starmer gave Zelensky his support "as Ukraine’s democratically elected leader" and said it was “perfectly reasonable to suspend elections during war time as the UK did during World War Two”, according to a Downing Street spokesperson.
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