Politics

A Russian invasion of Ukraine would be a “very dangerous moment” for the world and could encourage aggressors such as China and Iran, the foreign secretary has warned. Liz Truss’ warning came as the UK and the US said an invasion was “imminent” as Moscow amasses more than 130,000 troops on Ukraine’s border. Ms Truss

The Welsh government has announced a £330m package to help people with the rising cost of living, support it says goes “above and beyond” that provided by Boris Johnson’s government in England. All households in council tax bands A to D, as well as those in receipt of the council tax reduction scheme, will receive

Boris Johnson has warned of a “very, very dangerous and difficult situation” as the threat of a Russian invasion of Ukraine leaves the world “on the edge of a precipice”. The prime minister will chair a full meeting of the government’s emergency COBRA committee on Tuesday to discuss the UK’s response to the current situation

The Metropolitan Police is investigating death threats against Sir Keir Starmer following Boris Johnson’s use of the discredited claim that the Labour leader failed to prosecute Jimmy Savile when he was director of public prosecutions. The force confirmed that on Friday it received a third party report relating to allegations of malicious communications made against

A former senior Metropolitan Police officer has condemned Mayor of London Sadiq Khan for his public criticism of Dame Cressida Dick as she announced her resignation as commissioner earlier this week. Andy Trotter, former deputy assistant commissioner for public order at the Metropolitan Police, said the mayor’s pressure on the outgoing commissioner after his loss

Boris Johnson is facing more pressure over Downing Street parties as he attempts to cling to power, after receiving a questionnaire from the Metropolitan Police. Senior Tory MPs claim that despite his determination to fight on it will be difficult for him to continue as prime minister if he is fined for breaching COVID lockdown

More than 800 families facing tough times will be given holidays and trips thanks to a new government fund. Parents, carers, and young people experiencing difficulties will be given breaks in England over the next few months. The £600,000 “England for Everyone” initiative – which is funded by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and

All children aged five to 11 in the UK will be offered a low dose COVID vaccine after England and Northern Ireland became the latest of the four nations to offer those in that age group the jab. Health Secretary Sajid Javid confirmed that the UK government’s vaccine advisory body – the Joint Committee on

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss will hold fresh talks with EU vice-president Maros Sefcovic over post-Brexit arrangements for Northern Ireland ahead of a hoped-for deadline for a deal later this month. The pair will meet at Ms Truss’s official residence in London on Friday morning for their latest discussions over the Northern Ireland Protocol. It brings

The Foreign Office has signed off tougher sanctions on Russia just hours ahead of a self-imposed deadline – and after Foreign Secretary Liz Truss held stormy talks with her counterpart in Moscow. New legislation was laid in parliament on Thursday that gives ministers the power to impose tough new sanctions on Russian oligarchs and businesses.

The education secretary has told Sky News he would have been in “big trouble” if he had not been vaccinated against COVID-19. Recounting his experience of the virus, which he contracted at the end of last month, Nadhim Zahawi said he could have ended up on a ventilator. “I think, without the vaccine and the

Police are reviewing their initial decision not to investigate a Christmas quiz in Number 10, held at a time of strict COVID rules, after a picture of Boris Johnson and a bottle of alcohol emerged. Scotland Yard said they would rethink their assessment of the event following the publication of an image of the prime

Boris Johnson is facing increasing pressure over Downing Street partygate allegations after being pictured alongside a bottle of alcohol at an event in December 2020. During today’s PMQs, the Mirror newspaper published a story containing an image of the prime minister next to alcohol, crisps and people wearing tinsel at an event at a Downing

Boris Johnson is being urged to use Prime Minister’s Questions today as a “golden opportunity” to issue an apology over his discredited claim that Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer personally failed to prosecute Jimmy Savile. The prime minister will make his first House of Commons appearance since Sir Keir was confronted by a mob outside

MPs have mocked Boris Johnson’s triple-jobbing chief of staff after he declined to appear in the House of Commons to explain his new role. Following an exodus of senior advisers from Number 10 in the wake of the partygate scandal, the prime minister has appointed Steve Barclay as his new top aide. He has been

Jacob Rees-Mogg has been made minister for Brexit opportunities and government efficiency in a mini-reshuffle as Boris Johnson fights for his premiership. Mr Rees-Mogg, who was leader of the Commons, will remain a member of the cabinet in his new role, Downing Street said. Both of his new jobs have been newly created as the

Boris Johnson is starting a new week hoping that a fresh shake-up of his top Downing Street team will ease the concerns of Tory MPs – some of whom have publicly called for the prime minister to resign over his handling of the partygate scandal. The prime minister made key changes to his staffing over

Carrie Johnson has claimed she is the target of a “brutal briefing campaign” from her husband’s “enemies” after she was accused of meddling in decisions taken by the prime minister. A spokesperson for Boris Johnson’s wife said “bitter ex-officials” were trying to discredit her and insisted she played “no role in the government”. It comes

It was “perfectly reasonable” for Boris Johnson to attack Sir Keir Starmer over the failure to prosecute Jimmy Savile when he was director of public prosecutions, a minister has told Sky News. Asked on Trevor Phillips on Sunday about the prime minister‘s use of the discredited claim that the Labour leader was responsible for the

Boris Johnson has replaced two of the five close aides he lost in less than 24 hours as “partygate” allegations continue to threaten his premiership. Cabinet minister Steve Barclay will be the prime minister’s new chief of staff, replacing Dan Rosenfield. Mr Barclay, a former Brexit secretary, will also be charged with integrating a “new