Reform UK leader Richard Tice has refused to rule out whether Nigel Farage will U-turn and declare that he is standing for Parliament in his general election announcement today.
Sources have told The Independent that the former UKIP leader will declare he is going to stand for Clacton, Essex. Mr Farage has until Friday to submit his name as a candidate to stand for MP.
It comes as Sir Keir Starmer said the nuclear deterrent is “fundamental” and “a vital part of our defence” during a speech on national security in Greater Manchester.
While the Labour leader noted caution on pressing the nuclear button, he ultimately said, “we have to be prepared to use it.”
Meanwhile, the Tories have pledged to change the Equality Act to define the protected characteristic of sex as “biological sex”.
The minister for women and equalities Kemi Badenoch said the change is about “protecting those who are vulnerable”.
