Boris Johnson has said he regrets apologising for the so-called partygate scandal over lockdown-era gatherings in Downing Street in a new interview.
Facing a grilling on ITV tonight, the former prime minister claimed the move had “inadvertently validated the entire corpus” as accusations were also levelled at officials who were “working very hard”.
He went on to defend the revellers, insisting that he does not think officials involved in the Westminster scandal “thought they were setting out to break the rules”.
Meanwhile, Sky News’s political editor Beth Rigby announced she has pulled out of an interview with Mr Johnson at the Cheltenham Literature Festival after being told she could not make a recording or transcript of the talk, marking the second interview the former Tory MP has lost this week.
It comes as a group of indigenous Chagossians, Chagossian Voices, planned to stage a protest in Westminster, claiming they have been “consistently and deliberately ignored” by the UK government over discussions surrounding the handover of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, The Independent understands.
Sir Keir Starmer has defended the government’s decision in the face of significant backlash, claiming that the UK-Mauritius deal ensures continued security of the US-UK Diego Garcia military base.
Key Points
- Boris Johnson says he regrets apologising for Partygate in ITV grilling
- Boris Johnson does not rule out return to politics
- Boris Johnson defends Partygate revellers
- Indigenous Chagossians plan protest after being ‘excluded’ from talks
- PM defends Chagos Islands handover after backlash
- Starmer dodges questions over future of Gibraltar
- Labour hails carbon capture ‘national renewal in action’
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23:32
Tara Cobham
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Please do visit The Independent’s homepage for all the latest updates.
Bill to give ‘choice at end of life’ to be introduced to Parliament this month
22:30
Salma Ouaguira
Proposals to change the law to give terminally ill people “choice at the end of life” are to be introduced in parliament this month.
Labour MP Kim Leadbeater said she hoped for “honest, compassionate and respectful debate” when her Bill, which will be tabled on 16 October, is considered in the Commons.
The conversation around legalising assisted dying has been increasingly in the spotlight for the past year, with high-profile figures including broadcaster Dame Esther Rantzen calling for a parliamentary debate and vote on change.
Dame Esther said she is “thrilled and grateful” at the news, which she said could mean “terminally ill people like me can look forward with hope and confidence that we could have a good death”.
She said: “I never thought I might live to see the current cruel law change.
“But even if it is too late for me, I know thousands of terminally ill patients and their families will be given new hope.
“All we ask is to be given the choice over our own lives.”
Ms Leadbeater said her private member’s bill (PMB) would establish in law the right for terminally ill eligible adults to have choice at the end of life to shorten their deaths and ensure stronger protections for them and their loved ones in the aftermath.
She said: “Parliament should now be able to consider a change in the law that would offer reassurance and relief – and most importantly, dignity and choice – to people in the last months of their lives.”
Blame Sunak for Tory election drubbing, not me, says Johnson
22:00
Salma Ouaguira
Watch: Boris Johnson refuses to rule out return to politics
21:54
Tara Cobham
Tom Bradby slams Boris Johnson over Partygate in heated confrontation
21:53
Tara Cobham
Review: Unleashed – A memoir that’s twisted, sour and full of more lies
21:30
Salma Ouaguira
“Shameless, sour, predictable, self-exculpatory stuff”: Enjoy Sean O’Grady’s review of Boris Johnson’s memoir:
Argentina says it will take ‘full sovereignty’ of Falklands after Chagos Islands return
21:00
Salma Ouaguira
Argentina has vowed to gain “full sovereignty” of the Falkland Islands after the UK gave up control of a remote archipelago.
The country’s foreign minister, Diana Mondino, welcomed the step taken by Sir Keir Starmer’s Government on Thursday towards ending “outdated practices” after Britain returned the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.
She promised “concrete action” to ensure that the Falklands – the British-controlled archipelago that Argentina calls the Malvinas and claims as its own – are handed to Buenos Aires.
You can read the full story below:
Boris Johnson reveals his Covid battle was worse than public knew
20:38
Tara Cobham
ICYMI: Starmer declares carbon capture investment as ‘national renewal in action’
20:30
Salma Ouaguira
Sir Keir Starmer hailed today’s investment announcement as a demonstration of “the politics of renewal in action”.
Addressing an audience at a glass manufacturing facility, he emphasised that the government is “fixing the foundations and providing a long-term industrial strategy”.
Reflecting on his past work as a lawyer for coal mining families during the industry’s decline under the Conservative government, he said: “I worked with families and communities who were going to lose their jobs in a really important industry, and I therefore know first hand what this country lost when we ended coal in that way.
“Because we lost jobs, we lost communities, we lost a way of life. I think we lost dignity, and we also, I think, lost identity.”
He added: “We are the first industrial nation. That’s who we are as a country. It’s our story. A source of pride that this country, our country, communities like here, changed the world. And that what is made here matters.
“You can’t take that away from people without a plan to replace it. It’s like losing a part of yourself, a missing limb, an open wound, a heart ripped out of the nation.”
Full story: Broadcaster pulls out of Boris Johnson interview after no recording allowed
20:12
Tara Cobham
Sky News political editor Beth Rigby said she has pulled out of an interview with former prime minister Boris Johnson at the Cheltenham Literature Festival after being told she could not make a recording or transcript of the talk.
Mr Johnson had promised to “reveal what really happened during my time as Mayor, Foreign Secretary and PM” during the interview, as he promotes his new memoir titled Unleashed to be published next week.
It comes after an interview with the BBC was dropped earlier in the week after presenter Laura Kuenssberg mistakenly sent him her briefing notes.
Ellie Iorizzo reports:
Boris Johnson made desperate plea for book sales – and did not rule out a return to politics
20:04
Whitehall Editor Kate Devlin
Boris Johnson made desperate plea for book sales during the interview.
He said his memoir Unleashed was now “unleashed in all bookshops”.
And he started looking around the TV studio asking “where is Unleashed?”, presumably so he could hold it up for the cameras.
On a possible return to politics, he said: "My chances of returning to politics, as I think I've said before, are about as good as me being reincarnated as an olive, blinded by a Champagne cork, locked in a disused fridge or decapitated by a frisbee."
Which is not a no.
EXCLUSIVE | Diego Garcia blame game deepens as Liz Truss hits out at Boris Johnson for island ‘surrender’
20:00
Salma Ouaguira
Former prime minister Liz Truss has hit back at claims that she was responsible for the UK losing the crucial Chagos Islands in the Indian Ocean and claimed it was Boris Johnson’s fault.
An extraordinary row broke out yesterday when Keir Starmer’s government announced it was handing the islands to Muritius in a deal which guarantees the UK military air base on Muritius for at least 99 years.
Our political editor David Maddox has the full exclusive below:
Boris Johnson declines to explicitly endorse Tory leadership frontrunner Robert Jenrick
19:49
Tara Cobham
Boris Johnson has declined to explicitly endorse Tory leadership frontrunner Robert Jenrick.
It was put to him that he supported a referendum on leaving the European Convention on Human Rights and so he would likely back Mr Jenrick, the only candidate to advocate for leaving the convention.
Mr Johnson replied: “I think there’s probably some logical fallacy you’ve just committed.”
He also said Donald Trump had not been telling the truth when he claimed to have won the 2020 election.
In a quickfire round of questions during his ITV interview, the former prime minister refused to say who he hoped to win the upcoming vote out of Kamala Harris and the Republican candidate.
Asked whether the former president was telling the truth when he claimed to have won the 2020 election, Mr Johnson said: “No.”
He would not say who he thought had been a better prime minister out of Rishi Sunak or Liz Truss, insisting they “both had good qualities and they both had their share of bad luck”.
Gavin Williamson blocked release of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, Johnson claims
19:47
Tara Cobham
Sir Gavin Williamson blocked a £400 million deal to bring Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe home from Iran five years before she was released on the basis the money could be used by Hezbollah, Boris Johnson has said.
The former prime minister claimed that, in 2017, he reached an agreement paving the way for the UK national’s release in return for money owed by Britain to Tehran since the 1970s.
The Treasury and the Foreign Office approved, but Number 10 insisted the decision needed to be signed off by all relevant departments, including the Ministry of Defence.
Read the full story here:
Watch: Boris Johnson says he still believes in Brexit
19:42
Tara Cobham
Johnson does not rule out return to politics
19:41
Tara Cobham
Boris Johnson has not ruled out a return to British politics.
At the end of his interview with ITV’s Tom Bradby to promote his new memoir Unleashed, it was put to the former prime minister whether he believed his political career to be over.
The former Tory MP said he is currently living a life of “blameless obscurity, rustic obscurity” but was not drawn on the interviewer’s question, saying: “The answer to your question is to be found in the 738 pages of Unleashed.”
Mr Bradby responded, “I’ll take that as a return is possible,” to which Mr Johnson offered no denial.
Boris Johnson defends Partygate revellers
19:35
Whitehall Editor Kate Devlin
Boris Johnson has defended Partygate revellers.
He said he does not think that officials involved in the Westminster partygate scandal "thought they were setting out to break the rules".
The former prime minister told ITV News: "I really, really don't think that those officials thought that they were setting out to break the rules... they were working round the clock and they thought they were within the framework."
Repeatedly pressed on why he regrets apologising for the scandal and whether he understands the scale of public anger, he said: "Of course I understand it and you can't say that I haven't been exposed over the last few years to the full force of people's anger and indignation."
Johnson squirms responding to claim he’s ‘worst prime minister in British history'
19:34
Tara Cobham
Boris Johnson squirmed as he responded to the claim made by the unofficial biographer of prime ministers that his premiership was the worst of all time.
ITV’s Tom Bradby put to the former Tory MP that author Anthony Seldon “says you’re the worst prime minister in British history” – even worse than Liz Truss’s, whose catastophic tenure ended after just 49 days.
A visibly uncomfortable Mr Johnson responded: “I don’t know this guy very well, but that’s complete nonsense. I think you’ll find a pretty extraordinary story in three years.”
He went on to reel off what he saw as his government’s achievements of Brexit and supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russia.
“Not only did we deliver freedom and independence for our own country,” he said. “We were essential in protecting another European country from having it’s own freedom and independence extinguished.”
Analysis: Boris Johnson uses interview to reignite his feud with Sue Gray
19:24
Tara Cobham
Boris Johnson is using the interview to reignite his feud with Sue Gray.
The former top civil servant is the one who presided over the official Partygate report.
Mr Johnson asked ITV’s Tom Bradby “what post does she currently hold?” at least five times during ther chat.
Ms Gray is currently Keir Starmer’s chief of staff.
She went to work for the Labour leader after the report – leading to accusations of a stitch up by Mr Johnson’s allies.
Johnson defends those who attend lockdown parties in Downing Street
19:21
Tara Cobham
Boris Johnson has defended officials who attended parties in Downing Street during lockdown.
Discussing the so-called partygate scandal in a new ITV interview, the former prime minister said: “I really dont think those officials set out to break the rules.”
It comes after it was revealed earlier that the former Tory MP said he regrets apologising for the lockdown-era gatherings, claiming the move had “inadvertently validated the entire corpus” as accusations were also levelled at officials who were “working very hard”.
Analysis: Boris Johnson under pressure in first TV interview since leaving office
19:17
Whitehall Editor Kate Devlin
Boris Johnson is coming under pressure in his first TV interview since leaving office.
ITV’s Tom Bradby is putting the ex-PM under the microscope and is hitting the former Tory leader – famously never a details man- with details.
He has challenged him on a series of statistics over Brexit’s effect on the economy.
And Mr Johnson squirmed and blustered as he was asked if he regretted his Partygate apology to the Queen.
Johnson denies he was focused on his Shakespeare book as Covid hit
19:15
Whitehall Editor Kate Devlin
Boris Johnson denies he was too focused on his Shakespeare book as Covid hit.
The ex-PM missed a series of emergency government Cobra meetings as the pandemic took hold.
But he denied to ITV that at that stage he was not focused on his upcoming book about Shakespeare.
“That’s complete nonsense… a total, total myth” he said.
Johnson defends Brexit and its legacy
19:12
Tara Cobham
Boris Johnson has defended Brexit and its legacy in a new interview with ITV News.
The former prime minister said: “I think the legacy of brexit is that it saved many lives of elderly, vulnerable people during a very difficult time for this country.
“It allowed us to do things differently and better for the people of this country.”
When asked if he thought Britons are poorer now and likely to be poorer in the future because of Brexit, the former Tory MP insisted: “No, I absolutely don’t.”
Boris Johnson tries to blame David Cameron for Brexit chaos
19:09
Whitehall Editor Kate Devlin
Boris Johnson used his ITV interview to hit out at David Cameron’s handling of the aftermath of the Brexit vote, suggesting it was “not normal”for the former prime minister to “evacuate the stage” after the referendum, writes The Independent’s Whitehall Editor Kate Devlin.
Mr Johnson and Michael Gove, who were part of the Vote Leave campaign, have been accused of unleashing chaos on the UK for campaigning for Brexit without a clear plan for what it would mean.
But Mr Johnson tried to turn the blame on Lord Cameron.
He said: “What we expected and what I think, you know, everybody expected was that the Cameron government having called a referendum a ‘yes’, ‘no’ choice for the people - a leave, remain choice for the people - would bring forward a white paper.”
He said he was shocked when Lord Cameron left Number 10 the morning after the vote. He said: “Because every other European leader when their whole referendum decides, you know, once the people have voted, decides what to do and stays in office.
“So, it’s not normal for the prime minister having asked for a referendum vote suddenly to evacuate the stage.”
In response to the privileges committee, Mr Johnson called their conclusions “deranged” and “the final knife-thrust in a protracted political assassination”.
Ed Miliband backs assisted dying bill, calling current law ‘cruel'
19:00
Tom Barnes
Energy secretary Ed Miliband has called the UK’s current ban on assisted dying “cruel” and confirmed he will support a new Bill when it reaches parliament.
Speaking on ITV’s Good Morning Britain, Mr Miliband reiterated his long-standing position on the issue, stating: “I will be voting for the assisted dying Bill. It will be a free vote for Members of Parliament. These are very complex and difficult issues and there are very respectable views on both sides.”
He cited the plight of those in the late stages of terminal illness, arguing that people should have the right to control their own life and death.
Mr Miliband added: “Obviously there have to be proper safeguards and I understand the concerns of some people on these issues, but my personal view will to be vote in favour of this Bill.”
Full Boris Johnson interview to air on ITV in minutes
18:50
Tara Cobham
The full Boris Johnson interview is set to air on ITV in a few minutes.
In clips that have already been released, the former prime minister has said he regrets apologising for the so-called partygate scandal over lockdown-era gatherings in Downing Street.
The former Tory MP has also criticised David Cameron’s handling of the aftermath of the Brexit vote.
Sky News political editor says she has pulled out of interview with Boris Johnson
18:33
Tara Cobham
Sky News political editor Beth Rigby says she has pulled out of an interview with former prime minister Boris Johnson at the Cheltenham Literature Festival after being told she could not make a recording or transcript of the talk.
Mr Johnson is doing press for his new book “Unleashed” and it comes after an interview with the BBC was dropped earlier in the week after presenter Laura Kuenssberg mistakenly sent him her briefing notes.
In a post on X, Ms Rigby said: “I was looking forward to interviewing Boris Johnson at Cheltenham, but regrettably I can’t go ahead with the event because I am not allowed make an audio recording or transcript of the interview.
“As a journalist in conversation with a former PM at a public event, I can only proceed if we do it on the record. I’m sorry to have to pull out.”
I was looking forward to interviewing Boris Johnson at Cheltenham, but regrettably I can’t go ahead with the event because I am not allowed make an audio recording or transcript of the interview.
— Beth Rigby (@BethRigby) October 4, 2024
As a journalist in conversation with a former PM at a public event, I can only… https://t.co/P7kgHgfbCH
ANALYSIS | Can Starmer convince the public that carbon capture will deliver?
18:30
Salma Ouaguira
Sir Keir Starmer’s £22 billion carbon capture investment is being framed as a cornerstone of the UK’s green future, with promises of safeguarding jobs in industries like glassmaking.
But the prime minister faces a tough challenge in convincing a skeptical public and environmental critics that this technology is more than just a greenwash.
While carbon capture offers a solution for decarbonising energy-intensive industries without job losses, green activists are unconvinced.
A group of climate scientists recently warned energy secretary Ed Miliband that carbon capture is still largely unproven, particularly at the scale needed to make a real impact.
Timing adds another layer of complexity.
The government’s ambitious plans for Teesside and Merseyside won’t materialise until the next election, and with the 2050 net-zero targets looming, doubts remain whether this technology can deliver quickly enough.
Beyond the environmental angle, Sir Keir’s announcement suggests a possible shift in Labour’s fiscal approach.
With speculation mounting that chancellor Rachel Reeves could loosen borrowing rules for capital investment, Labour will need to prove that these big-ticket investments can deliver real benefits to struggling households.
In pictures: Labour ministers unveil carbon capture investment plans
18:00
Salma Ouaguira
Watch: Boris Johnson explains why he thinks apologising for Partygate was mistake
17:43
Tara Cobham
Johnson criticises Cameron’s handling of aftermath of Brexit vote
17:42
Tara Cobham
Boris Johnson has criticised David Cameron’s handling of the aftermath of the Brexit vote, suggesting it was “not normal”for the former prime minister to “evacuate the stage” after the referendum.
The former Tory MP told ITV News: “What we expected and what I think, you know, everybody expected was that the Cameron government having called a referendum a ‘yes’, ‘no’ choice for the people – a leave, remain choice for the people – would bring forward a white paper.”
Mr Johnson also claimed he was shocked when Lord Cameron left Number 10, saying: “Because every other European leader when their whole referendum decides, you know, once the people have voted, decides what to do and stays in office.
“So, it’s not normal for the prime minister having asked for a referendum vote suddenly to evacuate the stage.”
Johnson refuses to say whether he regrets apology to Queen over party on eve of Phillip’s funeral
17:41
Tara Cobham
Former prime minister Boris Johnson has refused to say whether he regrets apologising to the Queen for parties held on the eve of Prince Philip‘s funeral.
The ex-Tory leader said he should not have apologised for the Partygate scandal, in an interview with ITV.
But he would not be drawn on his conversations with the former monarch.
Whitehall editor Kate Devlin reports:
Boris Johnson says he regrets apologising for Partygate in ITV grilling
17:36
Tara Cobham
Boris Johnson has said he regrets apologising for the so-called partygate scandal over lockdown-era gatherings in Downing Street.
The former prime minister claimed the move had “inadvertently validated the entire corpus” as accusations were also levelled at officials who were “working very hard”.
In his interview with ITV News, the former Tory MP and Daily Mail columnist said: “What I was trying to say there was, I think that the blanket apology – the sort of apology I issued right at the beginning – I think the trouble with it was that afterwards, all the accusations that then rained down on officials who’d been working very hard in Number 10 and elsewhere were thought to be true.
“And by apologising I had sort of inadvertently validated the entire corpus and it wasn’t fair on those people.”
Asked whether he regretted apologising to the late Queen, he said: “I don’t discuss my conversations with the Queen.”
The full interview will air at 7pm.
RECAP | Keir Starmer announces £21.7 billion funding for carbon capture in speech
17:30
Salma Ouaguira
- End of Coal Era: The PM highlighted the significance of this week, marking the closure of the last coal-fired electricity plant. He said: “I know what we lost when we lost coal. But I also know how we can rewrite our story in the ink of the future.”
- Chancellor’s remarks: Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced a substantial £21.7 billion investment for the projects, calling it a “massive opportunity” to attract further investment.
- ‘Historic shift’: Energy secretary Ed Miliband praised the end of coal-fired electricity as a “historic week for Britain’s energy system” and condemned the “dither and delay” of the Tories.
- Future focus: Starmer concluded the speech by claiming that the UK is poised to compete globally in clean energy, adding: “We’re putting ourselves in the position not just to be in that global race, but to win that global race.”
Swinney does not rule out snap election if budget fails
17:00
Salma Ouaguira
First Minister John Swinney has not ruled out a snap election in Scotland if his budget fails to secure enough support to pass in Holyrood.
The SNP currently runs Scotland as a minority administration, needing just two votes from opposition MSPs to pass legislation.
But the Scottish Government’s budget this year – a draft of which will be published in December – is expected to require swingeing cuts to be made to public spending in response to financial pressures.
Appearing on the BBC’s Political Thinking podcast, the First Minister was asked if failing to pass his tax and spending plans would trigger a vote.
“It depends on the actions of other political parties,” he said.
The budget, he added, will be “sustainable” and will balance the books in Scotland.
TV licence fee: Why evasion could be decriminalised and what it means for you
16:30
Salma Ouaguira
The government is set to support the de-criminalisation of TV licence fee evasion, over concerns it disproportionately affects women.
Around 34,000 were prosecuted for wrongly not paying their TV licence last year, with many saying criminal punishment for not paying the £169.50 annual fee is too harsh.
You can read the full story below:
Bugging device found in my bathroom after Netanyahu visit, Johnson claims
16:00
Salma Ouaguira
A bugging device was found in Boris Johnson’s bathroom after a visit by Benjamin Netanyahu when he was foreign secretary, the former prime minister has claimed.
Mr Johnson alleged that his security team made the discovery when they did a sweep of the toilets after the Israeli premier had used them during a meeting in 2017.
Writing in his memoir Unleashed, the former Tory MP said Mr Netanyahu had excused himself during talks at his old office to use the washroom, described as “a secret annex… a bit like the gents’ in a posh London club”.
“Thither Bibi repaired for a while, and it may or may not be a coincidence but I am told that later, when they were doing a regular sweep for bugs, they found a listening device in the thunderbox,” Mr Johnson said.
It is unclear whether the Israeli government was confronted about the incident.
The Israeli embassy in London has been contacted for comment.
Euston station’s controversial advertising board axed
15:40
Salma Ouaguira
Transport secretary Louise Haigh has ordered the shutdown of a large advertising board at London’s Euston station.
The decision comes as Network Rail responds to mounting criticism over its decision to replace the traditional departure board with a massive advertising display, leaving travellers with smaller train information screens.
A frustrated Ms Haigh said: “For too long, Euston station simply hasn’t been good enough for passengers.
“That’s why I’ve tasked Network Rail with coming up with a clear plan to immediately improve conditions for passengers.
“This includes a shutdown of the advertising boards from today to review their use.”
SNP slams Starmer’s ‘clueless’ snub of Scottish carbon capture project
15:20
Salma Ouaguira
The SNP has accused Labour of being “clueless” for bypassing a key Scottish carbon capture project in favour of developments in England.
The prime minister announced plans for two £22 billion carbon capture clusters in Merseyside and Teesside, while Scotland’s Acorn project in St Fergus, Aberdeenshire, was overlooked once again.
SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn slammed the move, calling it a missed opportunity for economic growth and job creation in Scotland.
“Labour’s decision to prioritise the North of England over the Scottish cluster leaves us in the lurch,” Mr Flynn said.
“They’ve followed in the footsteps of the Tories.”
The Acorn project was given reserve status after being passed over for funding in 2021 by the previous UK government.
Lammy says third UK charter plane has left Lebanon
15:00
Salma Ouaguira
A third UK government charter flight has left Lebanon to help British nationals leave.
— David Lammy (@DavidLammy) October 4, 2024
The situation is volatile. Flights are limited but seats are available.
British nationals who want to leave should register their presence now to receive details on how to request a seat. https://t.co/awiIgxxQiF
EXCLUSIVE | Indigenous Chagossians plan protest after being ‘excluded’ from talks
14:57
Salma Ouaguira
A group of indigenous Chagossians are planning to stage a protest in Westminster on Monday over the decision to hand the archipelago over to Mauritius, The Independent understands, accusing the government of excluding them from talks, Millie Cooke reports.
Chagossian Voices, a group representing indigenous people from the Chagos Islands, has claimed their views have been “consistently and deliberately ignored”, demanding full inclusion in the drafting of the treaty.
The group claimed to have learned the outcome of the negotiations through the media, saying indigenous Chagossians feel “powerless and voiceless in determining our own future”.
The protest has been organised for Monday at 11.30 am.
BREAKING | Royal Navy chief apologises over bullying and misogyny in submarine service
14:55
Salma Ouaguira
The First Sea Lord has apologised after an investigation found “misogyny, bullying and other unacceptable behaviours” in the submarine service.
Admiral Sir Ben Key, the head of the Royal Navy, ordered an investigation in 2022 into allegations made by former lieutenant Sophie Brook, who described a “constant campaign of sexual bullying”.
You can read the full story below:
Diane Abbott criticises Starmer over freebies: ‘What’s he hiding?'
14:45
Salma Ouaguira
Diane Abbott has launched a scathing attack on Sir Keir Starmer, accusing him of “admitting wrongdoing” by returning £6,000 worth of luxury gifts after weeks of defending his actions.
Speaking on Sky News, the veteran Labour MP claimed the prime minister’s U-turn revealed a deeper issue.
Ms Abbott said: “He’s spent weeks insisting everything was above board, but now he’s had to give them back, What’s he hiding?”
She added that Sir Keir’s misjudgement shows a disconnect with ordinary people, adding: “He doesn’t understand how taking freebies looks to the public.”
Boris Johnson admits Leonardo DiCaprio snubbed him during cringe encounter
14:35
Salma Ouaguira
Boris Johnson has described how Leonardo DiCaprio “quirked his pace” to walk away from him after a mortifying conversation in which he recited lines from his films in a “South African” accent.
The former prime minister found himself starstruck as he came face-to-face with the Hollywood actor at the Cop 26 summit in November 2021.
You can read the full story below:
Starmer dodges Gibraltar question amid Chagos Islands backlash
14:27
Salma Ouaguira
The prime minister has avoided confirming whether other British overseas territories, like Gibraltar, could face a similar fate to the Chagos Islands after handing them to Mauritius.
Pressed on whether his government would commit to not signing away territories like Gibraltar, Sir Keir Starmer sidestepped the question.
He focused instead on securing the joint US-UK military base on Diego Garcia.
“The single most important thing was ensuring that we had a secure base,” he told reporters during his speech in Cheshire.
A No 10 spokesperson later clarified that the Chagos Islands decision “does not change our policy approach to other overseas territories.”
The islands had been under British control since 1814 but were ceded as part of an agreement aimed at resolving a longstanding legal dispute.
Ed Davey backs Chagos islands decision despite Tory criticism
14:25
Salma Ouaguira
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has thrown his support behind the government’s Chagos Islands deal.
Despite growing criticism from the Tories, he stressed the importance of adhering to international law, adding that people “need to realise that this had to be done”.
He added: “I have seen the Conservatives complaining about it but they started all the talks. I think it was James Cleverly when he was foreign secretary.”
David Davis: Boris Johnson ‘at best ill-informed’ on ECHR
14:10
Salma Ouaguira
In a rebuke, David Davis has criticised Boris Johnson’s stance on the European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR).
The Conservative MP accused the former prime minister of being “at best ill-informed” over the topic.
Mr Johnson recently suggested a referendum on the UK’s ECHR membership should be brought forward as it fails to offer unique protections.
Speaking to the Telegraph, Mr Davis didn’t hold back.
He compared Mr Johnson’s remarks and those of leadership hopeful Robert Jenrick, whose recent campaign video sparked widespread backlash.
The Tory veteran said: “I am afraid Boris Johnson’s comments that the European Convention on Human Rights does not ‘provide people with protections that they wouldn’t otherwise have’ are, much like Robert Jenrick’s unwise video earlier this week, at best ill-informed.”
EXCLUSIVE: High-flying women suffer from same workplace problems 30 years on
14:00
Salma Ouaguira
Gender equality in the workplace has stalled as women report experiencing many of the same challenges as they did nearly 30 years ago, a new survey of high-flyers suggests.
The group is calling for higher salaries and more effort to tear down the ‘glass ceiling’, the invisible barriers that hold women back, saying it was “deeply concerning” that many felt too little had changed since the Nineties.
Our Whitehall correspondent has the full story below:
