The first set of files relating to Lord Peter Mandelson’s appointment as US ambassador have been released by the government, following scrutiny over his friendship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
Cabinet minister Darren Jones is expected to address the House of Commons on Wednesday, leading to accusations that Sir Keir Starmer is attempting to “dodge questions” over Lord Mandelson’s vetting process.
Damaging disclosures from the so-called ‘Epstein files’ led MPs to order the government to release documents relating to his appointment and what was known about his friendship with the disgraced financier.
Meanwhile, Sir Keir Starmer has accused Kemi Badenoch of the “mother of all U-turns” by changing her mind on support for the US-Israel raids against Iran.
It came in response to the Conservative Party leader asking the prime minister why “now is the right time to increase the cost of petrol”.
Sir Keir accused Mrs Badenoch of attacking him “relentlessly” over his stance to not involve the UK in the initial strikes, before she “totally abandoned” her position on Tuesday.
He added: “That is the mother of all U-turns on the single most important decision the prime minister ever has to take – whether to commit the United Kingdom to war or not.”
Key Points
- First set of Lord Mandelson files released
- Starmer accuses Badenoch of 'mother of all U-turns' on Iran
- Messages between ministers could prove embarrassing for Labour government
- Cabinet minister defends way Mandelson documents will be released
- Government accused of dodging questions on Mandelson
First set of Lord Mandelson files released
13:55 , Holly EvansThe Government has published the first set of documents relating to Lord Peter Mandelson’s appointment as ambassador to the United States.
Ban on Al Quds Day marches in place until 11 April
13:50 , Dan HaygarthA ban on processions related to Al Quds Day will be in place until 11 April, home secretary Shabana Mahmood has told MPs.
The home secretary had approved a request from the Metropolitan Police to ban a march planned for Sunday “to prevent serious public disorder” – the first time a protest march has been banned since 2012.
The annual Al Quds Day march in London has always been seen as pro-Iranian, drawing criticism after its organisers expressed support for the country’s late leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Organisers say it is more of a pro-Palestine event.
Several counter-protests had also been planned for the day.
In a statement to the House of Commons, the home secretary said: “My first duty is to keep the public safe, having carefully and thoroughly considered the risk … assessment presented to me by the Metropolitan Police, I am satisfied that an order under section 13 is necessary.
“For one month there will therefore be a prohibition on processions in London related to Al Quds Day by protesters and counter-protesters, which will come into effect today and will end on the 11th of April.
“Should the commissioner consider a further extension is required, he will be able to make a further submission at that time.”
Starmer took UK into the war 'when he allowed the Americans to use UK bases', says Flynn
13:45 , Dan HaygarthThe SNP’s Westminster leader claimed Sir Keir Starmer took the UK into the war in Iran “when he allowed the Americans to use UK bases”.
Stephen Flynn said at Prime Minister’s Questions: “Donald Trump’s war in Iran is illegal and the situation that has unfolded since is verging on insane.
“Oil is falling from the sky, sewers are exploding, the IRGC is indiscriminately attacking civilians across the region, cargo ships, and potentially even mining the Strait of Hormuz.
“The economic consequences of which will be stark for the global economy, but for every single person living on these isles too, and whether the Prime Minister accepts it or not he did indeed take us into that war when he allowed the Americans to use UK bases just last week.
“But I have a specific question. He’ll have seen the same footage I have of an American Tomahawk missile landing on a primary school killing 110 children. Does he believe that to be a war crime?”
The prime minister replied: “We’re all concerned by that footage. But let me be absolutely clear with him, we have 300,000 UK nationals, including Scottish citizens, in the region – strikes, missiles and drones are being fired into the region, putting them at great danger.
“We are taking action to protect them. I’m astonished that the SNP says ‘don’t take action to support Scottish citizens in the region’. It’s outrageous.”
Reeves: ‘Valid’ to say national insurance hike should not have happened
13:40 , Dan HaygarthRachel Reeves has said there was a “valid argument” that she should not have hiked employers’ national insurance contributions after the number of jobless young people approaches one million.
But the chancellor insisted the move announced in 2024 was needed to put money into public services.
Ms Reeves told parliament’s Treasury Committee: “We did make the decision to increase national insurance in my first budget and that’s because we needed to properly fund public services, including the National Health Service, which got a £29 billion-a-year uplift.
“So, I do recognise, and it’s a valid argument to say that that should not have happened. But if that didn’t happen, we wouldn’t have been able to put the money into the NHS and reduce waiting lists.
“And reducing waiting lists in the NHS is also good for business, because it means that more people are available for work, and the workforce is is healthier.
“But I do recognise there are particular issues around youth unemployment.
“A lot of that, with respect, we inherited with a big increase in the young people not in education, employment or training, but we are facing into that with actions coming on stream from next month.”
Keir Starmer opens door to scrapping fuel duty hike
13:35 , Dan HaygarthSir Keir Starmer has hinted at a move to cancel a fuel duty hike amid concerns over the impact that the Middle East crisis will have on the UK economy, report David Maddox and Millie Cooke,
The prime minister told MPs that the planned 5p increase would be “kept under review” before it is due to come into force in September.
Fuel duty is currently frozen to help drivers with the cost of living, but that is due to end in the autumn. Chancellor Rachel Reeves has so far resisted calls to cancel the planned hike in response to the oil price spike caused by Donald Trump’s war on Iran.
But his comments, which came during a tetchy exchange at Prime Minister’s Questions, pave the way for another possible U-turn.
Read the full article below:
Keir Starmer opens door to scrapping fuel duty hike
Nick Clegg hits out at ‘deeply unfair’ university tuition fees system
13:06 , Dan HaygarthSir Nick Clegg has said the university tuition system is “deeply unfair” for students and suggested there could be a future institution which oversees the terms of student loans.
The former leader of the Liberal Democrats and deputy prime minister admitted some responsibility for costly tuition fees, which were increased during his time in government.
Sir Nick told the BBC he would take any criticism of the role “on the chin”, saying he was not responsible for later changes, including the repeated freezing of the graduate repayment threshold.
“I think graduates quite rightly feel very sore, because they're sort of running to stand still,” Sir Nick said.
Read more:
Nick Clegg hits out at ‘deeply unfair’ university tuition fees system
Mortgage rates soar above 5% as market hit by most turbulent days since Truss mini-Budget
12:53 , Holly EvansNearly 500 mortgage deals for homeowners have been pulled from the market over the Middle East conflict – the fastest disappearing act since the aftermath of the 2022 mini-budget.
Average mortgage rates have also soared past the five per cent mark as lenders scramble to hike their rates for both two- and five-year fixes.
The war on Iran and ensuing turbulence across the region have had a wide-ranging impact on the global economy, with the price of oil shooting past $100 (£74) at one stage before dropping back to $90 (£66).
Read the full article here:
Mortgage rates soar above 5% as market hit by most turbulent days since mini-Budget
Mandelson given £70k severance payout, files will reportedly show
12:45 , Millie CookeThe first tranche of Mandelson files, which will be published today, are expected to show that Peter Mandelson was given a severance payout of £70,000, the Financial Times reported.
But sources told the newspaper he had asked for a much bigger payout, a request that was reportedly rejected.
Badenoch says HMS Dragon would have left a week ago under her leadership
12:41 , Holly EvansConservative leader Kemi Badenoch claimed that HMS Dragon would have left a week ago if she was prime minister while Sir Keir Starmer called for her to apologise for comments about the British armed forces.
Speaking at PMQs, Sir Keir said: “In this job, you don’t get a second shot at making the right call on taking your country to war.
“If she (Mrs Badenoch) were prime minister, we would be in the war, and she would be coming back to Parliament a week later to say, ‘Oh, sorry, I got that one wrong’.”
Mrs Badenoch replied: “If I were prime minister, HMS Dragon would have left a week ago. The only time he’s taken decisive action was stopping Andy Burnham from standing in the by-election.”
Watch: Starmer quizzed if Iran school bombing is a war crime
12:37 , Holly EvansStarmer says government will do 'everything we can' to keep energy bills down
12:34 , Holly EvansSir Keir Starmer says he will do “everything we can” to keep energy bills down, and took aim at Kemi Badenoch and Nigel Farage over their stance towards the Iran conflict.
Sir Ed Davey, the leader of the Liberal Democrats, asked if he could guarantee that costs to British households would not rise by hundreds of pounds in July.
In response, Sir Keir said: “People will be really worried about the impact on them, and just to reassure households that the cap is in place until the end of June, until July, and therefore that deals with the situation for households.
“We are working with the sector and with others and with allies to do everything we can to make sure those energy bills don’t rise.”
He also called on efforts to “de-escalate” the situation in the Middle East. Taking aim at the Tory and Reform leaders, Sir Keir said: “If they had been leading the country, we’d be in a war.”
Analysis: Starmer paves the way to cancel fuel duty rise
12:25 , Holly EvansOur political editor David Maddox writes...
After days of the chancellor Rachel Reeves sticking by her plans to increase fuel duty by 5p in the autumn, the prime minister appears to have U-turned on the plan.
Answering questions from Kemi Badenoch in PMQs on the plans for the fuel duty hike, Sir Keir said that he would keep the tax frozen until September and then it “will be reviewed” before another rise.
It is clear he has seen the political danger and is paving the way to cancel the rise if the war is still raging in Iran and pushing the price of oil and gas up.
This is a distinct shift in tone from the chancellor’s support for the measure in her statement on Monday and then in Treasury questions this week.
Ms Reeves used the generic line that “taxes are always kept under review” while Sir Keir has committed to reviewing this planned increase before bringing the rise.
While Sir Keir is not cancelling the plan from the despatch box today he is making it clear that there is now a strong chance it will not happen.
For a man who has become well known for his U-turns in office this looks like another one in the making.
Watch: Keir Starmer berates Kemi Badenoch for U-turn on Iran war
12:17 , Holly EvansKemi Badenoch slammed for “screeching U-turn” on Iran
12:16 , Millie CookeSir Keir Starmer has once again criticised Kemi Badenoch for her changing position on the war in Iran, accusing her of a "screeching U-turn".
It comes after the Tory leader initially signalled her support for the UK joining Israeli and US strikes on Iran, but on Tuesday appeared to row back from her position.
Taking aim at Mrs Badenoch, Sir Keir told the Commons: “If she were prime minister… we would be in the war, and she would be coming back to Parliament a week later to say, oh, sorry, I got that one wrong.”
Starmer says fuel duty remains under review
12:14 , Holly EvansKemi Badenoch asks how an increase in fuel duty is going to help with the cost of living.
She asked the prime minister: “The Prime Minister told us at the start of the year that the cost of living was his number one priority. So can he explain how a rise in fuel duty helps with the cost of living?”
Sir Keir Starmer responds: "Fuel duty is frozen. It's going to remain frozen until September, and we will keep the situation under review in light of what's happening in Iran."
Starmer accuses Badenoch of 'mother of all U-turns' on Iran
12:10 , Holly EvansSir Keir Starmer has accused Kemi Badenoch of performing the “mother of all u-turns” on her position on the UK’s involvement in the war in the Middle East.
He said Ms Badenoch “relentlessly” attacked him for refusing to join initial US-Israel strikes, before changing her position.
“Yesterday, in the wake of the economic consequences the leader of the opposition totally abandoned her position,” he said.
“She told the BBC I never said we should join.”
He added: “That is the mother of all u-turns on the single most important decision a prime minister ever has to take - whether to commit the United Kingdom to war or not.”
He said she and Nigel Farage had been “spooked” and were now “furiously trying to backpedal” on their stance.
Badenoch seizes upon calls to scrap planned 5p increase in fuel duty
12:07 , Millie CookeKemi Badenoch has seized upon calls to scrap the planned 5p increase in fuel duty this autumn, asking: "Why does the prime minister think now is the right time to increase the cost of petrol?"
Responding, Sir Keir Starmer said: "Mr Speaker, we are not increasing the cost of petrol. We are absolutely clear in taking the measures that are necessary to deal with the impact of the conflict in Iran.
"We're dealing with that with other allies, we’re taking the necessary action. But the best thing that we can do is to work with others to de-escalate the situation."
He added: "Fuel duty is frozen. It is going to remain frozen until September. And we will keep the situation under review in light of what is happening in Iran."
Starmer facing PMQs
12:03 , Athena StavrouSir Keir Starmer has stood up to face this week’s PMQs ahead of the release of the Peter Mandelson files.
The prime minister began with updating the Commons on the UK’s response to the ongoing war in the Middle East.
He said the RAF have flown over 200 hours of defensive operations, and thanked armed forces for their efforts.
He will now face questions from the leader of the opposition Kemi Badenoch ahead of the release of the first tranche of files.
PMQs to begin shortly
12:00 , Holly EvansSir Keir Starmer is due to arrive shortly at Prime Minister’s Questions, where he is due to face Kemi Badenoch ahead of the release of the Mandelson files.
Board of Deputies of British Jews welcome Al Quds day march ban
11:43 , Holly EvansThe Board of Deputies of British Jews has welcomed the decision to ban the Al Quds Day march planned for Sunday.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood approved the Metropolitan Police’s request on Tuesday evening.
The board said in a statement: “The right to peaceful protest and freedom of expression are fundamental in a democratic society, and restrictions should not be imposed lightly.
“However, in this case, we welcome the Home Secretary and the Metropolitan Police’s decision to ban the Iranian regime-backed Al Quds Day marches – something we have long called for.
“While a one-month ban is an important step, they should be made permanent.
“Britain’s streets should not be used as a platform for antisemitism, extremism or support for terrorism.
“We continue to also press for the full proscription of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, whose ideology and influence underpin Al Quds Day.”
Chancellor says it is 'too early' to change any taxes for Middle East crisis
11:36 , Holly EvansThe Government is working with the Competition and Markets Authority on “any price gouging” in heating oil as households have seen prices doubled, the Chancellor said, adding that she would meet the competition watchdog and petrol retailers on Thursday.
Amid calls for her to scrap the planned 5p increase in fuel duty this autumn, Rachel Reeves reiterated that Treasury policies are always “under review”.
She said: “We always keep all taxes under review, but it is much too early – when those changes are not due to come into effect until September – to guess where petrol prices will be then.
“But I’m very loath to spend Government money on something that the market should be doing, and that’s why greater competition and greater transparency about pricing is so important.
“I would rather we have a properly functioning market where customers have decent information about prices at different petrol forecourts, rather than subsidising the money, which often actually just goes to the retailer.”
Reeves: The quicker we can de-escalate in Iran, the better it will be for the economy
11:16 , Millie CookeThe quicker we can de-escalate in Iran, the better it will be for the British economy, the chancellor has said.
Addressing the Treasury Committee, Rachel Reeves said: “It’s certainly not good for the British economy to have trade disrupted, and especially when so much oil and gas comes from that part of the world.
“But the best thing that we can do as a government is to seek to de-escalate this conflict.”
She added that “the quicker we can de-escalate, the better it will be for all of those different economic variables”.
Analysis: Release of Mandelson papers unlikely to draw a line under Starmer’s troubles
11:12 , Holly EvansOur political editor David Maddox says:
The imminent release of the papers relating to the appointment of Peter Mandelson as the ambassador to the US despite knowledge of his relationship with the convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein is set to be a difficult moment for Keir Starmer’s government.
The prime minister essentially had to have his hand forced by a Labour rebellion involving former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner to agree to the Tory humble address motion on the controversial appointment which could still yet break his government.
It is important to note though that today is only the first tranche of these papers and there is more to come.
Supporters of the PM hope that the embarrassment will largely focus on the now departed chief of staff Morgan McSweeney who pushed through the appointment of his mentor.
But much attention will be on how absent Sir Keir was from these decisions and whether he allowed others to get on with things he should have had a grip on. Some will also be hoping it reveals the extent of Mandelson’s involvement in the government including organising the reshuffle.
As journalists and MPs trawl through the papers today it is going to be a perilous moment for Sir Keir at a time when his future as PM seems far from certain.
Mandelson seen outside London home ahead of files release
11:11 , Holly EvansPeter Mandelson has been pictured leaving his home in north London this morning, as the government prepares to publish the first tranche of files related to his appointment as US ambassador.
The former Labour peer was seen getting into his car on Wednesday morning, weeks after he was arrested by police on suspicsion of misconducy in public office.
Cabinet minister Darren Jones will confirm the release of the first set of documents after PMQs today. It is thought to include hundreds of documents about how the peer was vetted before he was handed the job in Washington.
As Peter Mandelson’s biographer, I know how his mind works – and why Epstein was his weakness
10:56 , Holly EvansThe Epstein files reveal not just a catastrophic breach of trust, but the final act in a long political psychodrama.
Donald Macintyre reveals how a man so adept at managing risk came to take one that could destroy a government – not to mention his own career – and says the answers lie deep in a life shaped by a fatal attraction to wealth and influence.
Read the full analysis here:
The Mandelson I know – and the real reason why Epstein was his weakness
Jess Phillips reveals she is victim of courts backlog with restraining order case delayed until 2028
10:46 , Holly EvansJess Phillips has revealed she is a victim of the soaring crown courts backlog with a man accused of breaching a restraining order not due to face trial until 2028.
The safeguarding minister said she will have to wait years to have her day in court as MPs voted in favour of sweeping reforms to tackle the crisis, including controversial plans to curb jury trials.
Speaking before a moving debate in the House of Commons, the Labour MP for Birmingham Yardley said the bill had her full support after her experience showed the courts system is “broken”.
Read the full article here:
Jess Phillips reveals she is victim of courts backlog with case delayed until 2028
Government could intervene to help with energy costs if Middle East crisis deepens, Reeves indicates
10:29 , Millie CookeThe government could intervene to help with energy costs if the crisis in the Middle East deepens, Rachel Reeves has indicated.
Asked if the government has the ability to intervene as it had in the wake of the Ukraine crisis, the chancellor told MPs: “We will always make sure that we do everything we can to protect consumers, but also to ensure our national security as an economy.
“We are in a stronger position than when I became Chancellor to respond to shocks like these and we are in a stronger position in many ways than when Russia illegally invaded Ukraine.”
Inflation is lower than at the time of the Ukraine invasion, she said, and was forecast to go down. The UK is less reliant on gas than it had been at the time of the 2022 Russian invasion, which led to a spike in prices and a multibillion state intervention to subsidise bills.
Timeline of Peter Mandelson’s controversial relationship with Jeffrey Epstein
10:26 , Holly EvansThe government is set to publish the first set of documents relating to Lord Peter Mandelson’s appointment as ambassador to the United States on Wednesday, less than two months after emails between the statesman and Jeffrey Epstein were brought to light.
In February, MPs ordered the government to release tens of thousands of documents relating to Lord Mandelson’s appointment in 2024 after questions over how the peer was vetted and what was known about his links to the disgraced financier.
The prime minister has insisted Lord Mandelson “lied repeatedly” to No 10 about his relationship with Epstein, before and during his tenure as ambassador.
Read the full timeline here:
Timeline of Lord Mandelson’s controversial relationship with Jeffrey Epstein
Treasury is 'looking at a number of scenarios' as Middle East conflict continues
10:13 , Holly EvansAppearing before Parliament’s Treasury Committee on Wednesday, the Chancellor said it would be “unwise to speculate” about the impact of the Iran conflict on inflation, growth or interest rates, but added that the Treasury is “looking at a number of scenarios”.
The war has restricted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz – a vital route for oil and gas supplies.
Ms Reeves told MPs: “It’s certainly not good for the British economy to have trade disrupted, and especially when so much oil and gas comes from that part of the world.
“But the best thing that we can do as a Government is to seek to de-escalate this conflict.”
She said “the quicker we can de-escalate, the better it will be for all of those different economic variables”.
G7 countries, whose finance and energy ministers have met in recent days, are mulling the release of strategic oil reserves.
“I’ve been very clear that the UK is willing to play its part in using those reserves to put downward pressure on oil prices and ensure that supply remains strong,” Ms Reeves said.
“We’re working closely with both our allies in the Gulf and in the G7 and also with the insurance industry to ensure that as quickly as possible we can get those movements going again.”
UK decided not to engage in offensive action in Iran partly because of economic impacts, Reeves suggests
10:03 , Millie CookeChancellor Rachel Reeves said the UK's decision not to engage in offensive action against Iran came partly as a result of the impacts such a move would have on the economy.
She told the Treasury Committee: "Both the Conservatives and Reform, when the conflict began just under two weeks ago, were suggesting that the UK should be engaged in offensive action against Iran the Middle East, and we made the decision that would be the wrong choice... And one of the reasons why is because of the impact here in the UK.
"It was not in our national interest to be involved in in that conflict, and that's why we made the decision that we did.
"But of course, the Treasury is always planning for different eventualities, and we saw the impact of higher oil and gas prices just a few years ago after Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine."
Rachel Reeves says Middle East crisis 'certainly not good' for the economy
09:58 , Holly EvansChancellor Rachel Reeves told the Treasury Committee that it is “certainly not good for the British economy to have trade disrupted” as a result of the Middle East crisis.
Will interest rates rise after surge in oil prices over Iran-US war?
09:46 , Holly EvansThe conflict in the Middle East has continued into a second week and there are already major fears about the impact that soaring energy prices could have on people in the UK.
In particular, rising prices and energy bills could fuel higher inflation and see the Bank of England eventually raise interest rates.
Rising rates have knock-on effects elsewhere, including on people’s mortgages and savings.
Here, The Independent looks at how the war in the Middle East could impact rates – and your finances.
Read the full analysis from our business correspondent Karl Matchett here:
Will interest rates rise after surge in oil prices over Iran-US war?
When was Lord Mandelson arrested?
09:22 , Holly EvansLord Peter Mandelson was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office on February 23 after police received a tip-off from Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle that he was a flight risk.
He was taken into custody and interviewed, before being released under bail conditions.
It was confirmed on 6 March that his bail conditions had been lifted.
Lord Mandelson’s lawyers at Mishcon de Reya said on Friday: “In light of speculation following his arrest last week, we wish to clarify that the Metropolitan Police have removed all of Peter Mandelson’s bail conditions and returned his passport.
“Our client did not and does not pose a flight risk and will continue to cooperate with the police investigation. He will not be making any further comment at this stage.”
One document held back due to Met Police investigation, minister says
09:07 , Holly EvansThe prime minister’s secretary Darren Jones told ITV’s Good Morning Britain: “On the specific issue of Peter Mandelson’s appointment as ambassador to the United States, the Prime Minister has apologised for his appointment and said that it was a mistake.
“The documents that will be published today later to Parliament will provide full transparency about the appointments process, bar one document that has been held back by the Metropolitan Police because of an ongoing criminal investigation.
“The Prime Minister said that we only really knew of the depth and extent of Peter Mandelson’s ongoing relationship with Jeffrey Epstein once documents had been published by first Bloomberg and then the United States Department of Justice.
“As soon as those documents became available, and it became obvious that Peter Mandelson had lied to the Prime Minister about the depth and extent of his relationship, he was sacked as ambassador the United States very promptly.”
Hereditary peers set to be removed from House of Lords
09:02 , Holly EvansHereditary peers are set to lose their automatic right to sit and vote in the House of Lords, a significant reform expected to take effect before the next King's Speech.
The House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Bill has now completed its passage through Parliament, receiving final approval on Tuesday.
This legislative change will effectively abolish the quota that has allowed 92 hereditary peers to occupy the red benches and participate in votes since 1999.
Read the full article here:
Hereditary peers set to be removed from House of Lords
1.7m UK homes facing soaring bills as heating oil costs doubled in a week amid Iran conflict
08:46 , Holly EvansAlmost 2 million homes and businesses across the UK which still use heating oil are already facing a major cost increase as a result of the Middle East crisis.
Since the outbreak of the conflict, there has been a continued focus on Brent crude oil’s price marching higher as supply lines are hampered by Iran effectively prohibiting tankers from moving through the Strait of Hormuz. Qatar’s liquified natural gas (LNG) plant shutting down after being struck means the cost of gas has shot up, too.
But heating oil stands apart as another key energy source for millions across Britain – with prices having more than doubled in only a week.
Read the full article here:
1.7m UK homes facing soaring bills as heating oil costs doubled in a week
Minister says government takes 'responsibility to be transparent seriously'
08:28 , Holly EvansThe government has ‘agreed a framework with the Metropolitan Police on which documents can be released without prejudicing the ongoing police investigation into Lord Mandelson.
On Sky News, Mr Jones said: “It’s a big number of documents. Government takes its responsibility to be transparent to Parliament really seriously.
“And of course, on this issue of Peter Mandelson and his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, we all have a shared interest in bringing some accountability and transparency to these these issues.
“So the first tranche will be published this afternoon. A second tranche, they will come later, because there’s been further work that we’ve had to do across Government in response to the humble address, which is not quite ready.
“And we have two other processes that take a bit of time, given the live criminal investigation with the Metropolitan Police and the role of the Intelligence and Security Committee in Parliament has some oversight of it.”
Home secretary to ban Al Quds Day march in London over fears of ‘serious public disorder’
08:20 , Holly EvansThe home secretary has approved a request from the Metropolitan Police to ban a march planned for Sunday “to prevent serious public disorder” - the first time a protest march has been banned since 2012.
The annual Al Quds Day march in London has always been seen as pro-Iranian, drawing criticism after its organisers expressed support for the country’s late leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Organisers say it is more of a pro-Palestine event.
Several counter-protests had also been planned for the day.
Read the full article here:
Home secretary to ban pro-Iran march over fears of ‘serious disorder’
Minister accepts that decision to ban Al Quds Day march will face freedom of speech criticism
08:13 , Millie CookeA government minister has accepted that the decision to ban the upcoming Al Quds Day march will face criticism over fears for freedom of speech.
Mr Jones was about the decision to ban the march, and whether he accepts that some people will say the right to freedom of speech is the right to say things that are deemed offensive.
Responding, he told Sky News: "Yes. You can't do anything illegal, you can't incite hatred or violence or cause physical damage and those types of things, but you do have the right in our country to express your views democratically and peacefully, and that's why these powers are not used very often.
Mr Jones added that the Met Police requested the ban after "having looked at the operational detail of it."
And asked whether the government is looking at proscribing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation, he said: "Yeah. I mean, look, there's been a long running debate on this, and it's something the government keeps under review..
."There's a very legal and technical process that you can't really comment on about very much in the media. It has to come to Parliament deciding to do that."
No war bounce for Starmer with Labour still in fourth place in poll
08:02 , Holly EvansOur political editor David Maddox writes:
Sir Keir Starmer may have hoped that his principled stance of keeping the UK out of the war on Iran may have helped Labour’s struggles in the polls.
But the latest YouGov poll for Sky News has given the embattled prime minister more bad news with Labour still in fourth place on 17 per cent up just one point from last week.
Top is Reform unchanged on 23 per cent but still a long way off the 30 per cent some other polls have Nigel Farage’s party at.
The Tories, who have taken a more belligerent attitude to the war, are up three to 19 per cent in joint second place with the Greens who have dropped two points.
Ed Davey’s Lib Dems meanwhile languish in fifth place on 14 per cent.
Government accused of dodging questions on Mandelson
07:56 , Holly EvansThe timing of the release has led to accusations from the Conservatives that the Prime Minister is attempting to “dodge questions” about Lord Mandelson’s vetting by publishing the documents after PMQs.
Shadow Cabinet Office minister Alex Burghart said: “His fingers are all over this.
“He’s already admitted that he knew about Mandelson’s ongoing relationship with Epstein when he appointed him.
“Time and again his judgment has been found wanting.”
From Labour ‘Prince’ to Epstein shame: How Lord Mandelson fell from grace
07:50 , Holly EvansLord Peter Mandelson has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office as part of an investigation by Metropolitan Police after allegations he passed on market-sensitive information to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein while serving as business secretary.
It is the latest development in the growing crisis engulfing the former US ambassador, who has resigned from the Labour Party and has left the House of Lords after further details of his friendship with the convicted felon emerged in the so-called Epstein files.
Sir Keir Starmer is under growing pressure after he admitted that he knew about Lord Mandelson’s ongoing friendship with the convicted sex offender when he appointed him, but said that the peer “lied repeatedly” about the extent of the relationship.
Read the full article here:
From Labour ‘Prince’ to Epstein shame: How Lord Mandelson fell from grace
Cabinet minister defends way Mandelson documents will be released
07:40 , Holly EvansChief secretary to the prime minister Darren Jones has defended the way documents related to Lord Peter Mandelson’s appointment as ambassador to Washington will be released.
The documents will not be released until after PMQs, meaning MPs will not be able to directly press Sir Keir Starmer on the contents of the papers.
Mr Jones, who will make a Commons statement to set out the release of the documents after Prime Minister’s Questions, said: “We were always teed up to report in early March with the first tranche of documents, which is what we’re doing this afternoon.
“Because I run the Cabinet Office, at the centre of government, it was always my responsibility to give those updates to the House of Commons and statements always come after Prime Minister’s Questions.”
He told Times Radio: “There will be a second tranche of documents that will come at a later stage.”
Messages between ministers could prove embarrassing for Labour government
07:36 , Holly EvansA Commons motion called for the release of a huge range of material, including messages between Lord Mandelson and ministers and senior officials that could prove embarrassing for the Government.
Following the vote, Sir Keir Starmer said he wanted to ensure “urgency and transparency” and apologised for believing the peer’s “lies” about the extent of his relationship with Epstein.
Some files are expected to be withheld for national security or foreign relations reasons, but the final say over which documents are redacted rests with Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee.
Ministers had initially proposed giving the cabinet secretary control over which papers should be withheld, but backed down in the face of opposition from Labour backbenchers.
Downing Street expected to release first Lord Mandelson files
07:31 , Holly EvansDowning Street could begin releasing documents related to Lord Peter Mandelson’s appointment as ambassador to Washington on Wednesday, reports have suggested.
Parliamentary sources said Cabinet minister Darren Jones is expected to address MPs after prime minister’s questions, following media reports No 10 was preparing to release the first round of Lord Mandelson papers.
Last month, MPs ordered the government to release thousands of documents relating to Lord Mandelson’s appointment in 2024 after questions over how the peer was vetted and what was known about his links to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.
The timing of the expected release has led to accusations from the Conservatives that the prime minister is attempting to “dodge questions” about Lord Mandelson’s vetting by publishing the documents after PMQs.
