Politics

Justice Secretary David Lammy has said an exclusive Sky News interview will be used as part of an independent inquiry into how migrant Hadush Kebatu was mistakenly released from prison. Kebatu, who was found guilty in September of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl and a woman in Epping, Essex, was arrested on Sunday morning in…

Lucy Powell has been elected as the deputy leader of the Labour Party. But who is she and what does she stand for? Powell began her career in politics working for Labour MPs Glenda Jackson and Beverley Hughes. She then worked for a pro-EU campaign group. After that, she ran Ed Miliband’s successful Labour leadership…

Labour’s new deputy leader Lucy Powell promised to be Sir Keir Starmer’s ally. Yet in her victory speech she criticised his government and its record no fewer than 20 times. And told him to raise his game, or else. Politics live: Follow for updates as Labour names new deputy leader Here’s what she said –…

Lucy Powell’s had quite the political comeback. Sacked from cabinet by the prime minister but weeks ago, she’s back with her own powerbase and voice at the top of the party as the deputy Labour leader. She was not Keir Starmer‘s choice and, while the prime minister was quick to embrace her on Saturday as…

A reference to China being an “enemy” of the UK was removed from key evidence for a collapsed spy trial in 2023 as it “did not reflect government policy” under the Conservatives at the time, according to the national security adviser. In the letter published by parliament’s Joint Committee on National Security Strategy earlier on…

The Scottish government was “utterly irresponsible” in the way it attempted to implement its bottle return scheme, a former UK government minister has claimed. Giving evidence at the Court of Session in Edinburgh on Friday, former Scottish secretary Lord Alister Jack said the Scottish government had withheld “commercial information” from businesses about a risk the…

Police Scotland is investigating “irregularities” in the finances of the Alba Party. The force said a complaint was lodged by the pro-independence party on 26 May, exactly two months after Kenny MacAskill won its leadership contest in light of Alex Salmond’s death. The party said a review of its operations and finances was instigated by…

In a by-election in the birthplace of the comedian Tommy Cooper, it was Plaid Cymru that had the last laugh. During the campaign, Nigel Farage and Reform UK’s candidate Llyr Powell had posed for photos in front of the statue of the legendary comic in Caerphilly. But when the result was declared at 2.10am at…

The government is refusing to make time in parliament for MPs to debate the conduct of Prince Andrew amid a flood of new allegations against him. The prime minister’s spokesperson told reporters: “Prince Andrew has already confirmed he will not use his titles. “We support the decision made by the Royal Family, and we know…

A long-awaited definition of Islamophobia is expected within weeks – and a former faith minister is urging the government to adopt it in full. It is expected that the government will move away from the word “Islamophobia”, instead replacing it with “anti-Muslim hostility”. But Lord Khan, who oversaw the start of the review into the…