Keir Starmer responds to Manchester airport police video as Tugendhat and Jenrick enter Tory leadership race – live
Police officer kicks man in face at Manchester Airport
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Sir Keir Starmer has said he understands public concerns after footage of police officer emerged appearing to show a police officer kicking a man in the head at Manchester Airport.
The prime minister said home secretary Yvette Cooper has met with Andy Burnham, mayor of Greater Manchester, to discuss the harrowing scene that prompted the suspension of one police officer.
It came after Sir Keir said the “hard graft of rebuilding this country has truly started” as he accused the previous Tory government of leaving a “rot of short-sightedness and self-service” for Labour to clear up.
Giving a speech in Runcorn alongside Ed Milliband, the prime minister launched the government’s plan for a state-owned energy firm to “drive down bills”.
The Conservative party has started a three-month leadership contest to replace Rishi Sunak after the general election defeat.
Robert Jenrick and Tom Tugendhat were the latest to submit their papers to challenge James Cleverly to become the new leader of the opposition.
Other former cabinet ministers expected to announce bids include Kemi Badenoch, Priti Patel, Mel Stride and Suella Braverman.
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Rwanda plan flight used to deport migrants to Vietnam and Timor-Leste
The Labour government has used flights scheduled to deport migrants under the Tories’ scrapped Rwanda scheme to return failed asylum seekers to Vietnam and Timor-Leste.
The Home Office has announced that a charter flight took 46 migrants to the Asian countries on Wednesday.
She said: “We have immediately replaced the flight planning for Rwanda with actual flights to return people who have no right to stay to their home countries instead.”
Wednesday’s flight is the UK’s first charter returns flight to Timor-Leste, and the first to Vietnam since 2022, the Home Office said.
Our social affairs correspondent Holly Bancroft has the full story:
Salma Ouaguira25 July 2024 20:40
Senedd to be recalled to allow Eluned Morgan to be made Welsh first minister
The Senedd will be recalled early next month to allow Eluned Morgan to take over as Welsh first minister from Vaughan Gething, who quit after just four months in the job.
Baroness Morgan, 57, became the Welsh Labour leader on Wednesday after being elected unopposed but must be confirmed as first minister in a vote in the Senedd.
The Welsh Parliament is on recess and was not due to return until September.
Outgoing First Minister Mr Gething announced on Thursday that he had asked for the Senedd to be recalled on Tuesday August 6, a request that had been agreed by the Llywydd (Presiding Officer).
Under normal rules, members would not be able to vote while overseas, but the Senedd has confirmed arrangements are being made to enable this to happen.
While the recall has been welcomed by opposition groups, the Conservatives have argued it should happen sooner.
In a statement, Mr Gething said: “I have today written to the Llywydd (Presiding Officer), in accordance with Standing Order 12.3, to request arrangements are made to recall the Senedd on August 6 to nominate a new first minister.
“This is subject to receiving His Majesty the King’s acceptance of my formal offer of resignation.”
Salma Ouaguira25 July 2024 20:20
Surgeon urges leaders to speak up about ‘horrific’ injuries in Gaza
An English surgeon who has worked in hospitals in Gaza has urged Sir Keir Starmer and the foreign secretary to arrange a meeting to discuss Israel’s war on Gaza.
Professor Nick Maynard said healthcare professionals who have seen the “horrific” injuries inflicted on Palestinians must speak up and warned deaths from malnourishment and lack of healthcare could “dwarf” those injured in Israeli strikes.
He said he wants to meet with UK and Irish politicians to speak about traumatic injuries suffered by Gazans.
Prof Maynard said he wants to meet with UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Foreign Secretary David Lammy and any Irish politicians so he can show them images of the types of traumatic scenes he has witnessed.
“If I could meet Lammy and Starmer I would,” he said. “Do I believe it’ll make any difference? I’ve no idea… but if I had the opportunity I would do that.
“I’d love to meet Irish politicians if I had the opportunity to do so. In reality it’s only the US government who can stop them (Israel), but the Irish Government, the UK Government could put pressure on the US government, I’m quite sure of that.”
(Brian Lawless/PA Wire)
Salma Ouaguira25 July 2024 20:00
The Independent view: Sir Keir Starmer is right to show Labour rebels the door
Suspending seven MPs following their rebellion over the two-child benefit cap is more than a prime minister flexing his political muscle. It is a reminder that, in government, choices are never easy, even ones about child poverty – especially when increasing benefits may not even be the best solution. Here’s the Independent’s view:
Sir Keir Starmer is right to show Labour rebels the door
Editorial: Suspending seven MPs following their rebellion over the two-child benefit cap is more than a prime minister flexing his political muscle. It is a reminder that, in government, choices are never easy, even ones about child poverty – especially when increasing benefits may not even be the best solution
Salma Ouaguira25 July 2024 19:50
Farage accuses Tory leadership candidates for ‘pretending’ to want to quit ECHR
Nigel Farage has accused Tory leadership candidates of only “pretending” to want to leave the European Convention on Human Rights.
The Reform UK leader said ditching the ECHR had become a priority for contenders because his party is now a political “force”.
Mr Farage has previously used his maiden speech in the Commons to call for a referendum to stop the membership.
He tweeted this morning: “ECHR membership is a Tory leadership issue because Reform are a force. The difference is we want to leave and they just pretend.”
Salma Ouaguira25 July 2024 19:30
Watch: Tom Tugendhat joins race for Tory party leadership
Tom Tugendhat joins race for Tory party leadership
Salma Ouaguira25 July 2024 19:10
Braverman to Badenoch: Who could become the next Conservative leader?
Kemi Badenoch, who has been involved in a number of high-profile clashes, is seen as a strong contender. She had a good run when she competed for the leadership in 2022, Archie Mitchell writes.
A combative former business secretary and one-time darling of the Conservative right, she was seen to have blotted her copy book, however, when she canned a pledged bonfire of EU red tape. She has yet to formally announce her candidacy but was one of seven candidates to request nomination forms for the contest.
Suella Braverman is another former home secretary, who caused a shock when she dramatically resigned from Mr Sunak’s cabinet. At the time, she warned him that his Rwanda deportation plan would fail and that he was leading the party into electoral oblivion.
Her more extreme attacks on her own party are seen as helping the chances of her opponents, including Priti Patel. And she has suffered early setbacks, with key supporters, including right-winger Danny Kruger and her long-time mentor Sir John Hayes, backing rivals instead.
Ms Braverman also requested a leadership pack – but she has also not yet formally launched her bid.
(Getty)
Salma Ouaguira25 July 2024 18:50
Tugendhat accused of U-turn on ECHR approach
Tory leadership hopeful Tom Tugendhat seems to have changed his mind on leaving the European Convention of Human Rights.
The shadow security minister, who is seen as a more centrist political figure, said he would be ready to leave the convention.
But in 2023, he claimed ditching the ECHR could have consequences for the Good Friday Agreement, Windsor Framework and the devolved nations.
Salma Ouaguira25 July 2024 18:30
Starmer accuses Tories of leaving a ‘rot of short-sightedness and self-service’ behind
Sir Keir Starmer said the “hard graft of rebuilding this country has truly started” as he accused the previous government of leaving a “rot of short-sightedness and self-service” for Labour to clear up.
Giving a speech in Runcorn, Cheshire, the Prime Minister said “every day” his administration is finding “more mess” that the Tories left behind.
“The hard graft of rebuilding this country has well and truly started, and it is vital that we begin immediately because the last government dropped the ball,” he said.
“They left us the worst inheritance since the Second World War, and every day – every day – we’re finding more mess that they’ve left for us to clear up.
“The rot of short-sightedness and self-service that has weakened the foundations of our country.”
(POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Salma Ouaguira25 July 2024 18:10
MPs back moves to further restrict them from taking on paid lobbying work
MPs have approved measures designed to further limit them from taking paid lobbying work.
They also supported a motion to establish a Modernisation Committee to look at reforms to House of Commons procedures, standards and working practices, and to consider further restrictions on second jobs to ensure MPs serve their constituents.
Under the existing rules, MPs must not provide paid parliamentary advice or become a parliamentary strategist or adviser, but are allowed to give advice on public policy and current affairs, and general advice as to how Parliament works.
Commons Leader Lucy Powell warned the “loopholes” allow an MP to “use their privileged position and knowledge for personal gain”.
Jane Dalton25 July 2024 18:05
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