US vice president JD Vance has backed Brexit voters in an anti-immigration rant at the Munich Security Conference.
“No voter on this continent went to the ballot box to open the floodgates to millions of unvetted immigrants," he said.
"But you know what they did vote for in England? They voted for Brexit and, agree or disagree, they voted for it.
"And more and more all over Europe, they're voting for political leaders who promised to put an end to out-of-control migration. Now, I happen to agree with a lot of these concerns, but you don't have to agree with me."
Mr Vance then began to criticise freedom of speech laws in the UK and social policies across Europe.
It comes as Sir Keir Starmer said he will visit the United States later this month to meet with President Donald Trump amid tensions between the two countries on potential tariffs and Ukraine.
The Labour government has distanced itself from the Trump administration’s stance on Ukraine, as Sir Keir said Britain is committed to Ukraine being on an “irreversible path” to joining Nato after the US appeared to rule out membership.
Key Points
- Starmer to visit US to meet with President Donald Trump
- New tariff threat for Starmer as Trump rages at VAT
- BBC reporting on Reeves' expenses allegations 'totally inaccurate', claims senior minister
- Munich Security Conference 'crucial opportunity' to end Ukraine war, minister says
- Trump's tariffs could knock £24 billion of UK GDP growth over next two years, says expert
Full report | JD Vance backs Brexit voters amid anti-immigration rant at Munich conference
15:59
,
Jabed Ahmed
Comment | Handbag expenses and a dodgy CV? What’ll it take for Starmer to ditch Reeves?
15:29
If the PM were to sack the chancellor, it would look just as bad for him as it would for her, writes Sean O’Grady. After all, none of her policies would have made the final cut without his approval
Rachel Reeves dissmisses CV and expenses allegations
14:58
,
Jabed Ahmed
The public will judge the Chancellor on the job she is doing now rather than her LinkedIn profile, Rachel Reeves has said.
Asked about the accuracy of her LinkedIn profile on a visit to Nottinghamshire, Ms Reeves told broadcasters: “I worked as an economist at the Bank of England between 2000 and 2006 before going to work in financial services for Halifax Bank of Scotland.
“And I’m really proud of the work that I did before I became an MP, but in the end, people are going to judge me on the job that I’m doing now as Chancellor of the Exchequer to grow the economy and put more money in the pockets of working people.”
Ms Reeves added nobody had ever raised concerns about her expenses while she was working at Halifax Bank of Scotland.
Asked about claims she was the subject of an expenses investigation at the bank, the Chancellor told broadcasters: “No-one ever raised any concerns about my expenses when I worked for Halifax Bank of Scotland.
“I submitted, had processed and had my expenses signed off in the proper way as you would expect, and no issues were ever raised during my time at Halifax Bank of Scotland.”
Adding that nobody had gone on the record to suggest there had been concerns, she said: “I was never questioned, never asked to pay back any expenses.”
Starmer must be clear with Trump that his Ukraine proposals are 'unacceptable', Ed Davey says
14:38
,
Jabed Ahmed
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has said the Prime Minister should “seize the moment” and go to the Munich Security Conference to make clear to Donald Trump that his proposals on Ukraine are “unacceptable.”
Responding to news of Sir Keir Starmer’s call with the US president on Thursday, Sir Ed said: “Keir Starmer must be clear with Donald Trump that his proposals on Ukraine are unacceptable.
“There is not a moment to lose. It is critical that the Prime Minister joins the gathering of global leaders taking place this weekend at the Munich Security Conference, and does all he can to bolster support for Ukraine.
“Keir Starmer must seize the moment and ensure that Trump’s plans to lock Ukraine, the UK and European allies out of decisions about our shared future do not succeed.”
JD Vance criticises UK over conviction of man for silent prayer outside abortion clinic
14:25
,
Jabed Ahmed
US vice-president JD Vance has criticised the UK over a legal case in which a former serviceman who silently prayed outside an abortion clinic was convicted of breaching the safe zone around the centre.
He claimed there had been a “backslide away from conscience rights has placed the basic liberties of religious Britons in particular in the crosshairs”.
Mr Vance referred to the conviction of Adam Smith-Connor, 51, who was found guilty last year of failing to comply with the public space protection order in November 2022.
In a wider attack on what he suggested was a shift away from democratic values in Europe, he told the Munich Security Conference: “A little over two years ago, the British government charged Adam Smith-Connor, a 51-year-old physiotherapist and an Army veteran, with the heinous crime of standing 50 metres from an abortion clinic and silently praying for three minutes, not obstructing anyone, not interacting with anyone, just silently praying on his own.
“After British law enforcement spotted him and demanded to know what he was praying for, Adam replied simply, it was on behalf of the unborn son he and his former girlfriend had aborted years before.
“Now the officers were not moved – Adam was found guilty of (breaking) the Government’s new buffer zones law, which criminalises silent prayer and other actions that could influence a person’s decision within 200 metres of abortion facility. He was sentenced to pay thousands of pounds in legal costs to the prosecution… in Britain and across Europe, free speech, I fear, is in retreat.”
Exclusive | Reform deputy who mocked Reeves over CV exaggeration found to have exaggerated on his own CV
14:19
,
Jabed Ahmed
Richard Tice has repeatedly mocked Rachel Reeves for having allegedly embellished her CV, but The Independent can reveal the Reform UK deputy leader has in fact exagerrated his own business success on his CV
Full report | Starmer on collision course with Trump over VAT and future of Ukraine
13:59
,
Jabed Ahmed
Politics Explained | Will Labour’s new towns succeed in fixing the housing crisis?
13:27
,
Jabed Ahmed
The announcement of the project has prompted keen interest from local authorities. But will the plan work? Sean O’Grady looks at what happened last time new towns were built
Watch | Conservatives and Reform UK are 'likely' to merge before General Election
12:59
,
Jabed Ahmed
Firm behind beleaguered Bibby Stockholm migrant barge handed another £150m government contract
12:39
,
Jabed Ahmed
Our Social Affairs Correspondent Holly Bancroft reports:
Full report | Starmer backs Ukraine’s ‘irreversible path to Nato’ in apparent swipe at Trump
12:18
,
Jabed Ahmed
Our Political Correspondent Archie Mitchell reports:
UK announces further sanctions on Putin's inner circle
11:59
,
Jabed Ahmed
Foreign Secretary David Lammy will meet the widow of Russian dissident Alexei Navalny at a major security summit as Britain announces further sanctions on people with links to Vladimir Putin’s inner circle.
The Foreign Secretary will have talks with Yulia Navalnaya and reflect on her husband’s enduring legacy at the Munich Security Conference nearly a year on from his death.
Mr Lammy said in a statement: “I am announcing further sanctions to keep up the pressure on Putin. Ukrainians are fighting for their country’s future and the principle of sovereignty across Europe at the frontline.
“Nearly a year on from the death of Alexei Navalny, I am honoured to meet with Yulia Navalnaya and make clear our commitment to weaken Putin’s attempts to stifle political opposition and crack down on the Kremlin’s corrupt dealings globally.
“We are calling on our friends and allies to continue to step up in the face of ongoing Russian aggression.”
The sanctions announced target high-profile figures working in the Russian government, including Pavel Fradkov, a Russian defence minister, and Vladimir Selin, who heads up an arm of the Russian ministry of defence, the Foreign Office said.
They also target Artem Chaika, whose extractives company supports Russian state-owned business.
Starmer to visit US to meet with Trump
11:45
,
Jabed Ahmed
Sir Keir Starmer discussed “his forthcoming visit to the US” with Donald Trump on Thursday night during a meeting with the President’s special envoy to the UK, Downing Street has said.
A spokeswoman said: “The Prime Minister was pleased to host President Trump’s special envoy to the United Kingdom, Mark Burnett, at Downing Street last night, during which he took a call from President Trump and discussed his forthcoming visit to the US.
“Mr Burnett and the Prime Minister agreed on the unique and special nature of the UK-US relationship, the strength of our alliance, and the warmth of the connection between the two countries.
“Mr Burnett reflected on his personal connections to the UK, and his mother’s experience working part-time in Downing Street as a waitress over 30 years ago.
“They emphasised the huge potential for even stronger collaboration on trade, tech and cultural matters between the US and the UK, and looked forward to working together.”
Lammy and Vance hold meeting at Munich security conference
11:34
,
Jabed Ahmed
David Lammy said he looked forward to discussing support for Ukraine and European security as he met US vice president JD Vance in Munich on Friday.
In comments at the start of the meeting, the Foreign Secretary described the US-UK relationship as “more than just an alliance, it’s a covenant between two partners”.
He added: “We are committed to increasing defence and encourage our friends across Europe to do the same, and of course we have got important issues to discuss on Ukraine and how we support Ukraine at this difficult moment, and also broader issues of UK-US security.”
Mr Vance said: “Honestly, we have a lot in common, and the special relationship between the United Kingdom and the United States will remain very strong.
“We are going to talk about something that he and I spoke about a couple of years ago, which is our shared belief that Europe really should take a big role in its own security, and I’m glad the Foreign Secretary agrees with me on that.
“I think there are other issues of common agreement, I’m sure we will talk about Russia-Ukraine.”
Comment | How the attorney general became a legal time bomb for Keir Starmer
11:33
,
Jabed Ahmed
With Richard Hermer now under attack from cabinet colleagues over his ‘excessive’ adherence to international law – especially over immigration and the Chagos deal – the prime minister must be ruthless and ditch his friend, says John Rentoul
Watch | BBC Question Time host Fiona Bruce and Labour minister in heated clash over migrant crackdown
11:17
,
Jabed Ahmed
Full report | UK will respond accordingly to Trump’s £24bn VAT tariff threat, minister insists
10:59
,
Jabed Ahmed
Our Political Correspondent Millie Cooke reports:
Ukraine is on an 'irreversible path to Nato', Starmer says
10:37
,
Jabed Ahmed
Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer said Ukraine is on an “irreversible path to Nato”, in a phone call with President Volodymyr Zelensky, a Downing Street spokeswoman said.
Giving a readout of a call between, the spokesperson said: “The Prime Minister spoke to the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, this morning.
“The Prime Minister began by reiterating the UK’s concrete support for Ukraine, for as long as it’s needed. He was unequivocal that there could be no talks about Ukraine without Ukraine.
“Ukraine needed strong security guarantees, further lethal aid and a sovereign future, and it could count on the UK to step up, he added.
“The Prime Minister reiterated the UK’s commitment to Ukraine being on an irreversible path to Nato, as agreed by allies at the Washington summit last year.
“Discussing the upcoming third anniversary of Ukraine’s courageous defence of its sovereignty in the face of Russia’s barbaric full-scale invasion, the leaders agreed that it would be an important moment to demonstrate international unity and support for Ukraine.
“The leaders also reflected on the Prime Minister’s visit to Kyiv last month, and the president updated on his plans at Munich Security Conference. They agreed to stay in close contact.”
Labour could tighten shotgun rules in move stoking farmer row
10:17
,
Jabed Ahmed
The government is considering tightening controls around shotgun ownership, in a move likely to further fray Labour’s relationship with farmers.
Following a series of murders involving such weapons, the Home Office has announced a new consultation into shotgun licensing – citing concerns over the current rules raised by victims, police, coroners and MPs.
Pointing to concerns around shotgun owners keeping the weapons in their homes, including in towns and cities, the Home Office has also announced imminent plans to increase the number of referees required to obtain a shotgun licence – from just one to two – and to refresh police guidance, including around domestic abuse.
But some farmers have expressed fears over what they called “draconian and unreasonable” proposals, which they claimed would be viewed as “part of a wider anti-rural agenda”.
Exclusive | Badenoch falls further behind Starmer and Farage in new poll
09:59
,
Jabed Ahmed
The latest tracker poll from Techne UK has seen the Conservatives drop another point in a week where Kemi Badenoch was strongly criticised for her performance in PMQs
Read the full report below:
Labour’s defence budget ‘won’t touch the sides’, Starmer is warned
09:39
,
Jabed Ahmed
Our Political Correspondent Millie Cooke reports:
BBC reporting on Reeves' expenses allegations 'totally inaccurate', claims senior minister
09:23
,
Jabed Ahmed
A Cabinet minister has claimed the BBC’s reporting that Rachel Reeves was subject to an internal investigation into expenses while working at a retail bank was “totally inaccurate”.
The broadcaster reported about a probe on Thursday, which it said looked into the Chancellor’s time working for Halifax Bank of Scotland (HBOS) between 2006 and 2009.
Asked about the report when he appeared on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Science Secretary Peter Kyle said: “Unfortunately, the reporting has been totally inaccurate, and we heard yesterday that the person who was actually head of HR at that bank at that time says it’s untrue, said that she never, ever receive a file on Rachel Reeves.”
The minister was told that HBOS did not say there was no investigation, but that one had not been completed before the HR manager or Ms Reeves had left the bank.
Mr Kyle replied: “And she says that before she left the bank, there was no investigation that passed her desk. And she’s also said if there was one, it would have passed her desk.
“I didn’t see any of that reporting included in the story I read yesterday evening on the BBC website.”
Badenoch launches bid to get nine local elections rescheduled for May
09:09
,
Jabed Ahmed
Kemi Badenoch has launched a formal bid to keep local elections scheduled for this May, as her shadow business secretary warned cancelling them was “entirely wrong”.
Kevin Hollinrake, who backed the Conservative leader’s motion, said there had been “no attempt to gather consensus” in areas where elections were cancelled.
Local government minister Jim McMahon laid an order earlier this week to postpone elections in nine council areas – across East Sussex, West Sussex, Essex and Thurrock, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, Norfolk, Suffolk and Surrey.
Polls due on 1 May in these areas would instead take place next year, after a local government reorganisation.
Mrs Badenoch this week laid an early day motion calling for the order to be “annulled”, initially backed by five other Conservative MPs including Mr Hollinrake.
The Government could now find time for the “prayer” motion to be debated by a committee or in the House of Commons chamber, where MPs could vote to keep elections in the diary.
Unambitious Brexit reset is fuelling business disappointment in Labour, warns Alastair Campbell
08:49
,
Jabed Ahmed
Tony Blair’s former spin doctor cited The Independent’s front page and told Labour that the facts were the way to take on Brexiteers like Boris Johnson and Reform UK’s Nigel Farage
Munich Security Conference 'crucial opportunity' to end Ukraine war, minister says
08:31
,
Jabed Ahmed
The UK is working to seize the “crucial opportunity” of negotiations to end the Ukraine war, as global leaders gather at the Munich Security Conference, Peter Kyle said.
Asked by LBC radio if Donald Trump’s negotiations were akin to the appeasement of Hitler in the 1930s, Science Secretary Mr Kyle replied: “We need to act coolly and calmly going forward, and listen to what President Zelensky says he needs, and to be there to support him for it.
“It is great that we have a US president that is now so dedicated to bringing this war to an end. His defence secretary said that everything is on the table.
“President Zelensky will be here today with JD Vance, the US vice president.
“This is a crucial opportunity and we want to make sure that this crucial opportunity is seized with both hands, and Britain is here in the middle of it, making sure that our voice and our desires and needs are here and taken care of and represented in the best way possible, too.”
Senior minister defends Rachel Reeves over embellished CV allegations
08:14
,
Jabed Ahmed
A member of Rachel Reeves team set up her LinkedIn profile and was responsible for errors in it, Peter Kyle told BBC Breakfast as he defended his Cabinet colleague.
Asked about inaccuracies in the Chancellor’s profile on the professional networking platform, the Science Secretary said: “What you’re talking about here is something that Rachel has already addressed, and it is someone on her team set up a LinkedIn profile and they got the dates out by a few months actually.
“But what you’ve seen with Rachel is a Chancellor who is an economist by training and by practice, and she’s brought that experience into Government, and judge her on actions and not just words.”
Minister insists on 'cool, clear thinking' as Trump threatens tariffs
07:53
,
Bryony Gooch
Science Secretary Peter Kyle said Trump’s tariff need to be approached with “cool, clear thinking”.
He continued: “We will assess any changes and challenges that come down the line from any part of the global economy, and we will act appropriately in the best interest of Britain.
“The second thing to say is that whatever the circumstances globally, you’ve got to get the foundations right for running our domestic economy. That’s why we fixed some of the challenges we inherited from the previous government.”
UK insists Ukraine has seat at table for Russia peace talks
07:42
,
Bryony Gooch
Science and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said it was a “good thing that there are now concerted efforts to bring this war to an end, but let’s just be really clear about what could bring the war to an end the fastest, and that would be if Vladimir Putin simply ended it.”
He told Times Radio from the Munich Security Conference: “President Zelensky is going to be addressing the conference here in Munich today, we need to hear what he has to say. Britain has stood alongside President Zelensky and Ukraine since the very beginning.
“We continue to do so now, and we insist of course, that President Zelensky is part of any negotiations that go forward, and that any peace that emerges, any negotiation emerges, is one that is on the terms which is acceptable to him as their president.”
Trump's tariffs could knock £24 billion of UK GDP growth over next two years, says expert
07:26
,
Bryony Gooch
The global head of of FX Research at Deutsche Bank, George Caravels said that Donald Trump’s clarification of VAT as a tariff makes his policy “much more damaging” to countries like the UK.
As the tariff policy could see UK exporters in the US face extra charges of 21pc, Ahmet Kaya, of the National Institute of Economic and Social Research, said it could knock 0.4 percentage points off UK GDP growth for the next two years, accounting for £24 billion ($30 billion).
Minister sacked over WhatsApp group called voter a ‘hag’ and mocked her house in sweary rant
07:00
,
Jabed Ahmed
Does GDP growth mean ‘more money in your pocket’? Reeves plan explained
06:00
,
Jabed Ahmed
Full report | Rachel Reeves ‘investigated over expenses’ while working at bank
04:24
,
Jabed Ahmed
Watch | Protesting farmers greet Starmer on tractors as he promotes Labour towns plan
02:00
,
Jabed Ahmed
Ofgem vows to end years-long wait for new wind farms to connect to power grid
00:02
,
Jabed Ahmed
Officials have unveiled plans to connect new wind and solar farms to the power grid faster, which they hope will end years of gridlock for some projects.
Regulator Ofgem hopes to scrap the current first-come, first-served approach to the grid connections queue, which has left some projects facing decade-long delays.
The new plan will see projects that can be up and running by 2030 fast-tracked, in a bid to help Labour hit its clean power goals.
Ofgem estimates the changes will roughly treble the amount of power generation added to the grid per year.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said the reforms are “critical” to reach clean power by 2030, as the Government has promised, calling the current system “broken”.
He said the changes will mean “a targeted approach which prioritises quicker connections for the right projects in the right place”.
Developers have complained for years about the time it takes to get a cable to connect their wind or solar farm to the grid.
The current system means that a serious project which could provide electricity to millions of homes is often stuck behind more speculative schemes in the queue.
The queue is also an impediment to large-scale electric vehicle charging sites, like buses and vans, connecting to the grid.
Projects in the queue would generate more than 700 gigawatts (GW) of power if built, several times the amount the country needs.
New tariff threat for Starmer as Trump rages at VAT
Thursday 13 February 2025 23:59
,
Andy Gregory
The UK could be hit with new US export tariffs of up to 21 per cent after Donald Trump lashed out at VAT, in a fresh blow to Sir Keir Starmer’s government.
The US president signed an executive order on Thursday vowing to impose the “exact same tax or tariff” placed on US goods by its trading partners.
Mr Trump’s senior trade counsellor said later, without mentioning the UK, that VAT was being considered as a tax on imports and that “President Trump is no longer willing to tolerate that”.
Mr Navarro claimed the EU’s VAT regime was the “poster child” for unfair trade, in comments that prompted Allie Renison – a former UK business and trade policy adviser – to warn in remarks to The Times that the UK was likely in the “firing line for a huge economic hit”.
“The reality is that it’s the EU that Trump is thinking about in targeting VAT, but the UK risks getting caught up in the crosshairs once again,” said Ms Renison. The economic warfare net just keeps on getting wider, and the government may not be able to maintain its heads-down approach for much longer.”
But Pat McFadden, chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, told Sky News: “Wait and see what it means, it’s the best reaction to everything over the last month. Sometimes tariffs are announced, a couple of days later, they are unannounced.”
Politics Explained | Does Britain need its own Doge to cut government waste?
Thursday 13 February 2025 23:01
,
Jabed Ahmed
Labour’s new towns plan means home ownership no longer pipe dream for millions of Britons, says Angela Rayner
Thursday 13 February 2025 22:01
,
Jabed Ahmed
The deputy prime minister has written for The Independent hailing Labour’s plans for up to a dozen new towns in England
Badenoch faces call to apologise after party political clip filmed in Parliament
Thursday 13 February 2025 21:01
,
Jabed Ahmed
Kemi Badenoch faces a call to apologise for filming part of a Conservative Party political broadcast in Parliament.
Commons Leader Lucy Powell called for a “full and speedy apology” after she heard allegations the Tory leader also used a Government-funded car in the four-minute video.
The broadcast, which aired on BBC One on Wednesday, features a brief clip of Speaker’s Court, part of the Palace of Westminster.
Julie Minns, the Labour MP for Carlisle, said on Thursday that Ms Powell “is committed to ensuring (rules and procedures) are upheld and respected at all times”.
She continued: “I imagine she therefore shares my concern that last night’s political broadcast from the Conservative Party not only extensively featured the use of a taxpayer-funded ministerial car but also was filmed in part on the parliamentary estate in Speaker’s Court, in direct contravention – as I understand it – of the rules of this House.
“Can I ask the Leader of the House to ensure that this matter will be fully investigated?”
Ms Powell replied: “She’s absolutely right. This is against protocol.
“It is against protocol of this House to speak without permission, particularly in Speaker’s Court, and I think the Leader of the Opposition, if she is hearing this today, should offer Mr Speaker (Sir Lindsay Hoyle) a full and speedy apology for that.
“But also we have high standards that we’re all judged by, and using ministerial, Government-paid-for, publicly paid-for cars for party political campaigning purposes is not allowed, and rightly so because our constituents wouldn’t expect that to be the case.
“So, I hope the Leader of the Opposition has heard this question today and takes action to put this right.”
ICYMI | ‘Make sure Ukraine at heart’ of negotiations, says Starmer
Thursday 13 February 2025 20:01
,
Jabed Ahmed
Sir Keir Starmer has said that “we must make sure Ukraine is at the heart” of negotiations for a peace deal with Russia, as Volodymyr Zelensky has made it clear he will not accept any agreements which do not include Kyiv in talks.
The Ukrainian president has said to “not allow everything to go to Putin’s plan” after Donald Trump claimed that he and Vladimir Putin had agreed to start talks on ending the conflict.
The US president held individual calls with the Russian leader and Mr Zelensky on Wednesday.
Mr Trump said he had agreed with Russia’s leader to “work together, very closely” on bringing the three-year conflict to an end in the phone conversation.
The Prime Minister said it was “really important that Ukraine is in the strongest possible position”.
“Nobody wants the conflict to continue and Ukrainians – more than anybody – want the conflict to end, but we must make sure Ukraine is at the heart of this,” Sir Keir told broadcasters on Thursday.
“There can’t be negotiations around Ukraine without Ukraine being at the heart of it.
“And it’s really important that Ukraine is in the strongest possible position, whether that’s in discussions, or whether it’s continued fighting.
“Which is why I’ve been arguing since I’ve been Prime Minister that we need to ramp up the money, the capability and the training that we’re putting into Ukraine, and we’re delivering even more of that this year than we were last year.
“It’s really important: the strongest possible position for Ukraine. This has to be done with Ukraine.”
Whereabouts of Attorney General raised after complaint peers ‘never see him’
Thursday 13 February 2025 19:01
,
Jabed Ahmed
Questions have been asked at Westminster over the whereabouts of Attorney General Lord Hermer as records show he has spoken just four times at the despatch box since taking up his role last summer.
Contributions by the Government’s top law officer in the House of Lords include making his maiden speech in July.
In response to a query in the upper chamber why peers “never seem to see” the Labour Cabinet member, a minister said she saw him “pretty regularly”.
Lord Hermer’s appointment has faced criticism in Parliament, amid concerns over how his previous legal work, including representing former Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams, could result in pos