One of Labour’s most generous donors has offered to fund Count Binface’s bid in the Clacton by-election, where he stands as Nigel Farage’s sole opponent.
Dale Vince, a green energy industrialist, is able to donate up to £180,050 to Count Binface to spend on campaigning materials.
Speaking to The Telegraph, Mr Vince said: “I want Binface to win, and I am prepared to support him – morally, verbally and financially if that works for him.”
The Reform leader triggered the contest on Tuesday amid growing scrutiny over his finances after reports that long-term ally George Cottrell had provided undeclared funding for security and staffing in the year before he was elected.
Asked on Thursday if he had considered the possibility of fighting as the only proper candidate, he told the Daily Mail: “No, of course not. Why would they [not contest]? It's a real election.”
He added: “The fact Labour and the Conservatives don't want to stand, they're both showing contempt for the electorate. They can use whatever terms they want - it's a real election with real people.”
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Read More‘Farage doesn’t care about Clacton – but I’ll still be voting for him’
Farage vs Binface: Who is actually standing in Clacton by-election?
Nigel Farage’s £5m gift from crypto billionaire reported to National Crime Agency
Count Binface responds to BBC unmasking him live on air
Key Points
- Dale Vince offers to fund Count Binface in Clacton by-election
- Nigel Farage insists Clacton by election is ‘real’ - despite only opponent being a bin
- Farage ‘trying to pretend he’s Donald Trump’ by calling by-election, minister says
- Labour leadership race officially opens
- Minister insists Clacton by-election 'completely and utterly different' to Makerfield
- Fresh donations claims hit Reform as police investigate Jenrick Tory campaign cash
Rupert Lowe sparks outrage with comments on Dunblane massacre
15:34 , Maryam Zakir-HussainRupert Lowe has sparked outrage after incorrectly claiming there was just “one murder” during the Dunblane massacre.
The Restore Britain leader told Joe Rogan, the world’s most popular podcaster, that handguns in the UK were banned “because there was a murder up in Dunblane”.
Mr Rogan asks the Great Yarmouth MP: “One murder?,” before Mr Lower replies: “One murder.”
Sixteen children aged five and six and their teacher were killed by Thomas Hamilton at Dunblane Primary School on March 13, 1996.
Another 15 children and three adults were injured before Hamilton killed himself.
The tragedy remains the deadliest mass shooting in British history and led to major reform of the UK’s gun laws.
Mr Lowe’s comments prompted backlash, with Scottish Conservative MSP Stephen Kerr describing them as “shocking”.
He said: “One murder? Sixteen kids and their teacher were murdered. Fifteen other primary school children were wounded.
“My children’s school, about 15 minutes from Dunblane, was locked down that day. They’ll never forget being kept in the gym hall until everyone learned the gunman was dead.
“They’ll never forget the teachers trying to hold themselves together while reassuring frightened children.
“To reduce that atrocity to ‘one murder’ is deeply insulting. It wasn’t a single murder. It was a mass murder. In a primary school.
“Almost as disturbing was the tone – one of disbelief, even mockery, that anyone could respond by tightening gun laws.
“This wasn’t some obscure historical event. It happened in 1996, when Lowe was 38 years old.
“He should have known what happened on that terrifying day in Dunblane.
“For anyone who remembers that day, hearing it dismissed so casually is genuinely shocking.”
Dale Vince offers to fund Count Binface in Clacton by-election
15:14 , Maryam Zakir-HussainDale Vince has offered to fund Count Binface’s campaign leading up to the Clacton by-election, where he stands alone as Nigel Farage’s sole opponent.
The green energy industrialist has been one of Labour’s most generous donors, and has now contacted Count Binface to financially support him.
Speaking to The Telegraph, Mr Vince said: “I want Binface to win, and I am prepared to support him – morally, verbally and financially if that works for him.”
The renewable energy tycoon is able to donate upto £180,050 to Count Binface, whose real name is Jon Harvey, to spend on campaigning materials.
Of course I want to stop Nigel Farage – so I’ll be backing Count Binface
14:51 , Maryam Zakir-HussainI haven’t stopped laughing since it became obvious that the Reform UK leader will spend the summer arguing with a fake alien with a bin on his head, because now everything he does from here on in is a joke, says Carol Vorderman:
On Tuesday, Nigel Farage took to his TV studio lectern and announced he will be resigning as Clacton MP in order to seek re-election there all over again.
I haven’t stopped laughing since.
Almost straight away, I had the papers ringing me asking if I’m going to stand, since Nasty Nigel dared me to run against him in Clacton after an interview I gave a few months ago in which I called him a liar and a grifter. But like Labour, the Conservatives, Lib Dems, Green Party, and even Restore Britain, I won’t be running, since the whole thing is a stunt and sham.
So he’s going up against Count Binface. I think it’s totally brilliant.
Of course I want to stop Nigel Farage – so I’ll be backing Count Binface
Clacton by-election could take place on 13 August
14:32 , Maryam Zakir-HussainThe Clacton by-election could take place on 13 August after Reform UK chairman Lee Anderson formally moved the writ on Friday morning.
The party had said it would propose August 6 as the date but Tendring District Council, which will administer the election and decide the timetable, has not yet published the notice of election.
By-elections take place between 21 and 27 working days to allow the poll to be held on a Thursday, whenever the writ is moved.
Polling day must be no earlier than 17 working days after nominations close, and no later than the 19th day, suggesting that August 13 is the most likely date.
Burnham vows to spend billions in defence funding on British firms
14:15 , Maryam Zakir-HussainAndy Burnham has announced that he wants billions of pounds of additional defence spending to go into British businesses.
As prime minister, he would aim to support British jobs and British workers by relying on the UK for equipment rather than American or European companies.
Writing in The Times, he said his priority would be “protecting the UK by boosting defence spending, reviving local industry and strengthening our alliances.”
He added that he also wanted to be “more open with the public about how and where defence funding is spent.
“We will take a new approach to regenerating and reindustrialising the country, and thereby strengthening its resilience.
“ That same approach will consider foreign policy, economic policy, security, social cohesion and British values as inextricably linked elements of the same strategic question.”
Count Binface responds to BBC unmasking him live on air
14:00 , Maryam Zakir-HussainCount Binface has responded after the BBC asked him to reveal his identity live on air.
During an interview on Newsnight on Wednesday (8 July), Paddy O'Connell asked the satirical candidate to "bin off the bin,” adding: “We know that your name is Jon.”
Count Binface responds to BBC unmasking him live on air
Andy Burnham looks set to become the next prime minister – here’s what that could mean for Britain
13:30 , Maryam Zakir-HussainAndy Burnham’s rapid ascension to the position of Britain’s next prime minister now appears all but confirmed. Nominations for the next Labour leader are open, and no other MP is thought to have the support needed to challenge the former Manchester mayor.
It is an historic and unprecedented episode in British politics, as a member of Parliament elected only last month – although previously an MP for 16 years – looks set to enter No 10 unopposed.
Assuming no other challengers, Mr Burnham should become Labour leader on 17 August, and prime minister three days later when he is invited by King Charles III to form his government.
What would Andy Burnham’s policies be if he becomes prime minister?
Watch: What do Nigel Farage’s Clacton constituents think about his resignation?
13:15 , Maryam Zakir-HussainClacton by-election should be called a 'why-election'- Zack Polanski
12:56 , Maryam Zakir-HussainAsked about the Clacton by-election at the Green Party’s manifesto launch for the Greater Manchester mayoral election, leader Zack Polanski said: “Well this is a by-election but really it should be called a why election because this is happening because Nigel Farage cares about one thing, and that’s himself and his own money.
“Now, I know he’s not a fan of workers’ rights but it feels like he’s taking fire and rehire a bit too far. Maybe this time he’ll take £4 million instead of £5 million.
“Ultimately though this isn’t a joke and our democracy should not be debased in this way.“And I think the wider point here is about big money, political interference, and ultimately corruption, and Nigel Farage still has questions to answer.
“ So does Richard Tice and so does increasingly Robert Jenrick.
“The are a microcosm of a much bigger problem, which is about big money in politics, and I really hope Andy Burnham as Prime Minister will look at democratising our whole system to make sure actually there’s more transparency in the process and we can’t have MPs or leaders or political parties, taking these huge donations, or being friends with convicted criminals, and then saying they don’t have any questions to answer.”
Gorton and Denton MP Hannah Spencer quipped: “We get to spend the summer watching Clacton, a farce of a by election where one of the candidates is a joke character filled with rubbish and the other is Count Binface.”
Scottish councillor dials into online meeting while driving car
12:41 , Maryam Zakir-HussainA Scottish council meeting was interrupted after a member who dialled in remotely was spotted driving.
North Ayrshire councillor Jim Montgomerie can be seen driving during the Zoom call, with his phone appearing to be perched on the windshield.
Council leader Tony Gurney stopped the meeting to call out Mr Montgomerie: “We allow people to attend remotely on the basis that they concentrate on the proceedings of the council. I do wonder whether being on the road and having to concentrate on driving would perhaps mar that in any respect.”
Scottish councillor dials into online meeting while driving car
Jenrick says he 'co-operated fully' with police investigation
12:30 , Maryam Zakir-HussainRobert Jenrick said he had “co-operated fully” and “not done anything wrong whatsoever” after reports suggested police were investigating a political donation of nearly £40,000 to his failed Tory leadership campaign.
A caller on an LBC phone-in criticised the Reform UK Treasury spokesman for not holding a by-election when he defected to Nigel Farage’s party and said Mr Jenrick was “now subject apparently of a police investigation”.
Mr Jenrick said: “That’s not actually true… That’s not correct. What’s actually happened here is that I stood for leader of the Conservative Party back in the day. The Conservative Party introduced a donor to me, they checked out whether or not this bloke was legit or not.
“There’s now been a suggestion that maybe part of his donation was from an overseas company. That’s been looked into.
“I’ve co-operated fully. I’ve not done anything wrong whatsoever, and I’ve not actually had any contact from the Metropolitan Police, so I’ve no idea whether or not they’re looking into it or not. But they’ve certainly not told me one way or another.”
He said other parties had “prejudged what this standards process, this kangaroo court, is going to be”.
Lammy: Trump threats over Greenland feel 'rhetorical not real'
12:14 , Maryam Zakir-HussainDeputy prime minister David Lammy has said Donald Trump’s renewed threats over Greenland feel “rhetorical rather than real”.
The US president reignited a major diplomatic row on the eve of the Nato summit this week by insisting that the US should control Greenland, which belongs to Denmark, and suggesting America could pull all of its troops out of Europe in retaliation.
Mr Trump struck a conciliatory tone at the end of the summit in Ankara, Turkey, saying fellow alliance members were “answering the call” on military funding.
He then said a “deal on Greenland” would play a key role in any decision about US troop numbers in Europe as he spoke to reporters on board the new Air Force One on his way back.
Mr Lammy told a conference on international affairs at Chatham House in London there has been “phenomenal co-ordination” across “middle power countries” such as Canada and Australia to press shared interests, referring particularly to the coalition of the willing on Ukraine and the multilateral mission for the Strait of Hormuz.
He said: “What you realise as a middle power is that if you are together you can become a superpower as it were… and so I think that was done to tremendous effect in relation to our views on Greenland and its sovereignty.
“And I think you did see the United States back off, although I think there has been, of course, a reassertion in the last 24 hours.
“But it feels rhetorical as opposed to real.“And often I think we are making it clear to the United States that what we believe is in its own interest.”
Pakistan refuses to take back grooming gang ringleader
12:00 , Maryam Zakir-HussainPakistan is refusing to accept the ringleader of a Rochdale grooming gang, it is understood, despite plans to change to British law to allow him to be deported.
Shabir Ahmed – who served 14 years in jail for multiple rapes and sexual abuse against young girls – was released from prison last week. At the time, the government said he could not be deported due to a 55-year-old law, despite him already being stripped of his British citizenship.
Next week, the home secretary is expected to announce changes to the Immigration Act 1971 act to close the loophole which meant he could not be returned to Pakistan.
Politics correspondent Millie Cooke writes:
Pakistan refuses to take back grooming gang ringleader
Jenrick suggests Farage has used by election to ‘short circuit’ standards investigation
11:47 , Maryam Zakir-HussainPolitics writer Athena Stavrou reports:
Robert Jenrick has appeared to suggest Nigel Farage’s by election bid will “short circuit” the standards investigation into his undeclared donations.
The Reform UK MP said that if Mr Farage wins the contest - which he almost certainly will since other major parties have refused to stand a candidate - then “we can all move on” from the series of financial scandals.
“The ultimate sanction that the the commissioner in Parliament has, if he thinks that somebody's made a mistake done something wrong, is to force a by-election,” he said on LBC.
“And so, if you think about it, what Nigel's done is say, "Well, fine, I think I'm innocent. I don't think I've done anything wrong, but I'm going to short circuit the whole process. Let's not waste months, maybe even years…let's just cut to the chase.”
He said if the people of Clacton re-elect Mr Farage, then “that puts the whole thing to bed, and we can all move on and start talking about the issues that really matter to people in this country.”
However, according to parliamentary rules, the investigation into the Reform UK leader’s donations will continue once he is re-elected - and could still result in another by election.
BREAKING: Andy Burnham nominates himself to be leader of the Labour party
11:26 , Maryam Zakir-HussainAndy Burnham has posted a tongue-in-cheek video on social media as he nominated himself for Labour party leader, saying: “Hopefully third-time lucky.”
Filming himself, he said: “Strange thing to say, but I’ve just been in to nominate myself as leader of the Labour party. The nomination process has opened this morning so glad to see some MPs going in. I’m still the only candidate in the race.”
He added: “It’s all starting to feel very real.”
Just been in to nominate myself… hopefully third time lucky 😂 pic.twitter.com/I6n7FS0JFr
— Andy Burnham (@andyburnham) July 9, 2026
Pip disability benefit ‘not fit for purpose’, Labour minister’s review finds
11:05 , Maryam Zakir-HussainThe UK’s most-claimed health and disability benefit faces “bold” and sweeping changes as it is “no longer fit for purpose”, Labour’s disability minister has indicated.
Sir Stephen Timms released his interim report into the Personal Independence Payment (Pip) on Thursday and criticised the method for applying for the benefit as “dehumanising” and “degrading”.
The veteran Labour MP said:“This interim report delivers a clear message: while PIP is widely valued as a benefit, it is not working as intended and needs fundamental change.
The ‘bold’ reforms facing Pip as Labour minister reveals first report on benefit
By-election in Makerfield 'completely different' to Claction, MP says
10:55 , Maryam Zakir-HussainA minister said the by-election in Makerfield after an MP stood down to make way for Andy Burnham was “completely and utterly different” to the vote in Clacton triggered by Nigel Farage’s resignation.
It was put to Sir Chris Bryant that some might argue the move was similar to when a by-election was triggered in Makerfield.He told ITV’s Good Morning Britain: “Completely and utterly different.”
He added: “Josh Simons stood down in Makerfield because he believed the country needed a change of direction.
“He wasn’t standing himself, it wasn’t some kind of gimmick to try and avoid scrutiny.”
‘Farage doesn’t care about Clacton – but I’ll still be voting for him’
10:40 , Maryam Zakir-HussainNigel Farage’s resignation has triggered a sudden by-election in Clacton, where he hopes to give voters a chance to ‘stick two fingers up to the establishment’. Harriette Boucher headed to the seaside town to find out what his constituents really think:
For many voters of the seaside town of Clacton, support for their scandal-hit former MP remains unwavering.
After Nigel Farage resigned on Tuesday following pressure over unregistered donations, several constituents echoed his view that he had done nothing wrong.
As for others, they simply did not seem bothered about the multiple scandals the Reform leader is facing, including that he improperly failed to declare millions in donations before he became an MP.
‘Farage doesn’t care about Clacton – but I’ll still be voting for him’
Jenrick compares by election response to calls for second Brexit referendum
10:24 , Maryam Zakir-HussainPolitics writer Athena Stavrou reports:
Robert Jenrick has compared the decision of all major political parties not to stand in the Clacton by election to those calling for a second Brexit referendum.
The Reform UK MP hit out at parties who have called the contest a “farce”, and criticised the call to wait for the outcome of the standards commissioner’s investigation.
“Isn't it funny that the very people who wanted this are now not prepared to put up and actually test the British public's views?”
He said on LBC.“It reminds me a bit of the second referendum. All those people who were saying, ‘Ah, well, you know, the people may have spoken, but they got it wrong. They're too stupid to decide. We need another one.’.
“It's not good enough. We need to trust the great British public.”
Clacton by-election formally triggered
10:10 , Maryam Zakir-HussainA by-election in the Clacton constituency has been formally triggered, after Nigel Farage resigned his seat in the Commons.
Mr Farage, the Reform UK leader, has said he will try to win back a spot on the green benches.
Lee Anderson, Reform’s chairman, moved the writ.“I beg to move that Mr Speaker do issue his warrant to the Clerk of the Crown to make out a new writ for the electing of a member to serve in this present Parliament for the county constituency of Clacton in the room of Nigel Paul Farage, who since his election for the said county constituency has been appointed to the office of Steward and Bailiff of His Majesty’s Manor of Northstead in the county of York,” he said.
Robert Jenrick faces police probe over donation to Tory leadership campaign
09:59 , Maryam Zakir-HussainMetropolitan Police have launched an investigation into a political donation of almost £40,000 made to Robert Jenrick’s campaign for the Conservative Party leadership.
The Newark MP, who unsuccessfully sought to succeed Rishi Sunak as Tory leader in 2024, has since joined Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party, where he serves as Treasury spokesman.
The probe into the donation's origins follows a referral from the Electoral Commission, The i Paper reported.
The money in question is a portion of a £100,000 donation from British entrepreneur Phillip Ullmann, via a company called Spott Fitness, to Mr Jenrick’s leadership campaign.
Robert Jenrick faces police probe over donation to Tory leadership campaign
Count Binface responds to BBC unmasking him live on air
09:40 , Nicole Wootton-CaneCount Binface has responded after the BBC asked him to reveal his identity live on air.
During an interview on Newsnight on Wednesday (8 July), Paddy O'Connell asked the satirical candidate to "bin off the bin,” adding: “We know that your name is Jon.”
He declined, saying, “ Has anyone here seen Return of the Jedi? Nobody wants to know what's underneath a Recyclon.”
Count Binface appears to be Nigel Farage’s main electoral rival in the Clacton by-election, as Labour, the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats, the Green Party and Restore Britain are refusing to put forward candidates.
The satirical party is the creation of comedian Jonathan David Harvey, who stood against then-prime minister Boris Johnson as a candidate in the Uxbridge and South Ruislip constituency at the 2019 general election.
Count Binface responds to BBC unmasking him live on air
Farage vs Binface: Who is actually standing in Clacton by-election?
09:15 , Nicole Wootton-CaneNigel Farage’s by-election in Clacton is set to be boycotted by most major parties, after the Reform UK leader was accused of using the vote as a distraction.
The Reform UK leader announced he was quitting as an MP as questions mounted over his personal finances.
The Labour Party, the Tories, Liberal Democrats, Greens and Restore Britain have all said they will not stand candidates in the by-election, leaving independent candidates and Count Binface to contest it.
So who is actually running in the election? You can find out below:
Farage vs Binface: Who is actually standing in Clacton by-election?
Minister insists Clacton by-election 'completely and utterly different' to Makerfield
09:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneA minister said the by-election in Makerfield after an MP stood down to make way for Andy Burnham was “completely and utterly different” to the vote in Clacton triggered by Nigel Farage’s resignation.
It was put to Sir Chris Bryant that some might argue the move was similar to when a by-election was triggered in Makerfield.
He told ITV’s Good Morning Britain: “Completely and utterly different.”
He added: “Josh Simons stood down in Makerfield because he believed the country needed a change of direction.
“He wasn’t standing himself, it wasn’t some kind of gimmick to try and avoid scrutiny.”
Labour leadership race officially opens
08:45 , Nicole Wootton-CaneLabour’s leadership race officially begins today - although its winner is close to guaranteed.
Andy Burnham is expected to be the only candidate to put his name forward after former Armed Forces minister Al Carns confirmed he would not run on Wednesday evening.
Any Labour MP who want to put themselves up for the leadership needs to secure the backing of 20 per cent of their colleagues, which is currently 81 MPs.
MPs will fill in a nomination form and deliver it to the Parliamentary Labour Party office in Westminster. Nominations close on Wednesday 15 July at 6pm.
Anyone who has received enough nominations will then need to secure the backing of t least three organisations affiliated with the Labour Party - two of which have to be trade unions - by 6pm Thursday 16 July.
Provided Mr Burnham meets all these requirements, he is expected to become prime minister on Monday 20 July.
Nigel Farage’s £5m gift from crypto billionaire reported to National Crime Agency
08:30 , Nicole Wootton-CaneNigel Farage’s £5m gift from a Thai-based cryptocurrency billionaire has been reported to the UK’s National Crime Agency over concerns it may have been money laundering, according to reports.
The Reform UK leader received the sum from Christopher Harborne in 2024, prior to announcing his decision to stand in the general election and is now being investigated by the Commons standards watchdog.
Mr Farage, who is under increasing public scrutiny over his financial dealings, has insisted the money was an “unconditional gift” and that he did not need to declare it to the parliamentary authorities.
While he initially said the money was given to pay for his security, he has since described it as a reward for the Brexit campaign and insisted he could spend it on Ferrari cars if he wished to.
You can read the full story below:
Nigel Farage’s £5m gift from crypto billionaire reported to National Crime Agency
Minister ‘wouldn’t bother voting’ in Clacton by election
08:16 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe Independent’s political reporter Athena Stavrou writes:
A government minister has said he “wouldn’t bother voting” in the Clacton by election if he lived there
Trade minister Sir Chris Bryant was asked whether he would back Nigel Farage’s only competitor, Count Binface.
“Listen, if I were living in Clacton, I wouldn’t bother voting, and that’s not something I would normally say,” he told the BBC
“But this is, as I say, it’s the worst kind of farce. It’s a farce that hasn’t got any jokes in it at all.”
Asked whether the decision of all major parties to not stand candidates was “indulging in petty politics”, he said: “This is a farce without any jokes in it that Nigel Farage is playing out these next few weeks, and I'm not going to participate in it.”
Farage ‘trying to pretend he’s Donald Trump’ by calling by election, minister says
08:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe Independent’s political reporter Athena Stavrou writes:
A government minister has accused Nigel Farage of “trying to pretend he’s Donald Trump” by calling a by election in Clacton.
Trade minister Sir Chris Bryant said Labour had decided not to stand a candidate after Mr Farage had a “hissy fit” and added: “I just don’t think that we should play along with that game.”
“I know what Nigel Farage is trying to do,” he told Sky News.
“He’s trying to pretend that he’s Donald Trump, and that they’re all out to get me in for me, in for me, all of that kind of stuff.
“I just don’t think it washes with most ordinary members of the public.”
Nigel Farage insists Clacton by election is ‘real’ - despite only opponent being a bin
07:41 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe Independent’s political reporter Athena Stavrou writes:
Nigel Farage has insisted the by election he is fighting in Clacton-on-Sea is “real” - despite the only major candidate running against him being a man dressed as a bin.
The Reform UK leader’s bid to trigger a by election on Tuesday backfired massively after all the major parties said they would not stand in the “fake” contest.
The only candidate running against him so far is a ‘joke’ candidate, called Count Binface.
Asked on Thursday if he had considered the possibility of fighting as the only proper candidate, he told the Daily Mail: “No, of course not. Why would they [not contest]? It's a real election.”
He added: “The fact Labour and the Conservatives don't want to stand, they're both showing contempt for the electorate. They can use whatever terms they want - it's a real election with real people.”
Burnham on course to become PM on 20 July
07:00 , Jane DaltonFormer Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham will be formally declared Labour leader at a special conference on Friday 17 July, if no other candidates come forward.
He is expected to become prime minister three days later.
The Makerfield MP will still take part in an online hustings with Labour MPs on Monday evening, even if he is the only one in the running.
When ex-defence minister Al Carns was asked on Sky News whether he would put himself forward, he said it was clear that a three-month contest was “probably not the best use of Labour’s time”.
“So, my view would be we need to get on board. Andy’s done a good job with Manchester, he’s done a great job during Covid, he’s seen the Manchester Arena attack and dealt with that very effectively, and the economic trajectory of Manchester’s in a positive way.
“If we can do that at the local, the regional level, and the national level, I think that’s hitting the right place.”
Green Party split over opposition to missiles
06:00 , Jane DaltonThe Green Party appears to be split over its defence policy after members called for the party to allow the use of semi-autonomous drones and anti-ballistic missile systems – in what would be a U-turn on current policy.
Green Party split as members demand vote on dropping opposition to missiles
The people of Clacton deserve better than this circus
05:00 , Jane DaltonThe business of adjudicating on the rules can’t be outsourced to seaside towns in Essex, writes David Aaronovitch:
The people of Clacton deserve better than this Nigel Farage circus
‘Farage doesn’t care about Clacton – but I’ll still be voting for him’
03:59 , Jane DaltonFor many voters in Clacton, support for their scandal-hit former MP remains unwavering:
‘Farage doesn’t care about Clacton – but I’ll still be voting for him’
Watch: Moment Al Carns announces he will not run against Burnham
02:30 , Jane DaltonMPs want veto power over political ambassadors after Mandelson scandal
Thursday 9 July 2026 00:01 , Jane DaltonParliament’s foreign affairs committee wants to be given the power to veto political appointments to top diplomatic posts after the scandal surrounding Peter Mandelson’s role as ambassador to Washington.
MPs on the committee said there were still unanswered questions over Mandelson’s appointment and that documents showed a “dismissive view” about the need for security clearance.
They are pushing for reforms to security vetting and due diligence, including for public appointments not to be made before vetting is completed.
Mandelson was sacked as ambassador to the US in September 2025 after leaked emails that showed the peer sent supportive messages to late paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein even as he faced jail for sex offences.
In April, it emerged that Foreign Office civil servants granted the peer developed vetting clearance despite the recommendation that this be denied.
Burnham vows to spend billions in defence funding on British firms
Wednesday 8 July 2026 23:26 , Harriette BoucherAndy Burnham has announced that he wants billions of pounds of additional defence spending to go into British businesses.
As prime minister, he would aim to support British jobs and British workers by relying on the UK for equipment rather than American or European companies.
Writing in The Times, he said his priority would be “protecting the UK by boosting defence spending, reviving local industry and strengthening our alliances.”
He added that he also wanted to be “more open with the public about how and where defence funding is spent.
“We will take a new approach to regenerating and reindustrialising the country, and thereby strengthening its resilience.
“ That same approach will consider foreign policy, economic policy, security, social cohesion and British values as inextricably linked elements of the same strategic question.”
Law to be changed to allow grooming gang leader to be deported
Wednesday 8 July 2026 23:00 , Jane DaltonThe Home Secretary is set to change the law to allow the deportation of a Rochdale grooming gang leader who was released from prison last week.
Shabana Mahmood will set out plans on Monday to amend a 1971 law that prevents the removal of Shabir Ahmed, 73, from the UK.
Ahmed was released last week after serving 14 years since his conviction in 2012 for rape and sexual offences against girls, some as young as 12. He had been sentenced to 19 years in prison.
According to The Telegraph, which first reported Ms Mahmood’s plans, it is not clear whether the changes will come under separate fast-tracked legislation or as an amendment to the Immigration and Asylum Bill, which is due to be debated in the Commons on Monday.
Home Office minister Alex Norris indicated earlier this week that the government could consider emergency legislation.
Ahmed is currently exempt from deportation but Mr Norris said the government would not give up in its efforts to deport him due to his “heinous” crimes.
The 1971 law forbids the removal of a small group of Commonwealth citizens who arrived in the UK more than 50 years ago.
Opinion: Farage can be defeated, but someone must step up – like I did
Wednesday 8 July 2026 21:50 , Jane DaltonVeteran ex-BBC reporter Martin Bell says voters will rally behind the right independent candidate:
Nigel Farage can be defeated, but someone must step up – like I did
Fresh donations claims hit Reform as police investigate Jenrick Tory campaign cash
Wednesday 8 July 2026 21:21 , Jane DaltonPolice are investigating a political donation of nearly £40,000 made to Robert Jenrick’s campaign to become Conservative Party leader.
The Newark MP ran to succeed Rishi Sunak as Tory leader in 2024 and lost to Kemi Badenoch. He has since defected to Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party, where he is the Treasury spokesman.
The Metropolitan Police have launched an investigation into the origins of a donation after a referral from the Electoral Commission, The i Paper reports.
The money in question is a portion of a £100,000 donation from British entrepreneur Phillip Ullmann, via a company called Spott Fitness, to Mr Jenrick’s leadership campaign.
There have been allegations that £37,500 of it ultimately came from a foreign source – US businessman Gary Klopfenstein – in breach of UK electoral rules.
Mr Jenrick rejected the allegations, saying they were “entirely false”.
A spokesman for the Reform UK MP dismissed the suggestion that he knowingly accepted impermissible donations as an “untrue, politically motivated smear”.
He said: “Mr Ullman was introduced to Robert by a Tory MP, and had his donations’ permissibility checked by the party.
“Robert and his campaign team complied with all electoral laws when receiving the donation received from Spott Fitness Ltd in 2024.”
Carol Vorderman brands Farage ‘snake oil salesman’
Wednesday 8 July 2026 21:00 , Jane Dalton
Nigel Farage is a ‘snake oil salesman’ for by-election plan, says Carol Vorderman
Reform choose earliest possible Thursday for voting
Wednesday 8 July 2026 20:15 , Jane DaltonNigel Farage wants the by-election in Clacton to take place on the earliest date possible, on August 6.
Reform UK said it would propose that date when it launches the parliamentary process to trigger the contest tomorrow.
The House of Commons library sets out that a by-election cannot take place for at least 21 working days after a writ is issued.
This Friday will count as day one, and 21 days after that come to Friday 31 July. The first Thursday - elections are always held on Thursdays - after that is 6 August.
Al Carns says he will not challenge Burnham
Wednesday 8 July 2026 19:33 , Jane DaltonThe last remaining potential rival to Andy Burnham as the next Labour leader and prime minister says he will not stand against the new Makerfield MP.
Former defence minister Al Carns has told Sky’s The Cathy Newman Show he will back Burnham instead.
He said: “The time right now is not for a contest.”
If no other challengers come forward, Mr Burnham will become Labour leader next Friday.
Watch: How PMQs turned Farage into a figure of fun
Wednesday 8 July 2026 19:00 , Jane DaltonGo-ahead for by-election as Reeves says: ‘I won’t stop him arguing with a bin’ – full report
Wednesday 8 July 2026 18:30 , Jane Dalton Farage by-election approved as Reeves declares: ‘I won’t stop him arguing with a bin’
