Labour has been accused of “humiliating” Diane Abbott over the issue of whether she can run in the upcoming election.
Broadcaster Andrew Marr said Labour “just about” got on top of the story but that it had been a “really, really embarrassing week for them”.
Labour frontbencher Yvette Cooper claimed this morning the issue had been “resolved” after Sir Keir Starmer said Ms Abbott was “free” to stand.
But Mr Marr said it “wasn’t closed down nearly as early as they should have been” and that Sir Keir Starmer “underrated the sentimentality of the Labour Party”.
“Even if she’s on the hard left, that’s not really the point. I think there was an element of cruelty, an element of humiliation.” he said.
It comes as Ms Cooper refused to set specific targets on how it wants to reduce net migration to the UK.
She said the party wants to see “significant changes” but she stopped short of setting a target, saying the Conservatives have failed when they have done so and arguing that “variations” each year – such as the war in Ukraine – must also be considered.
Extra 100,000 families face ‘mortgage nightmare’ with hike before election
Here are some of the latest photos from the campaign trail
Below we have some of the latest photos from the campaign trail.
Labour promises to give bereaved families access to children’s social media ‘as fast as possible’
Diane Abbott still weighing up whether to stand for Labour ally says amid peerage offer claim
Flynn: Labour government would be ‘extremely dangerous’ for Scotland
A Labour government would be “extremely dangerous” for all of Scotland, the SNP has claimed.
During an appearance on Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips, Stephen Flynn, the SNP’s Westminster leader, was asked about Labour’s plan to stop renewing oil and gas licences if the party comes into power.
Mr Flynn said: “If we want to talk about energy, it’s not the SNP that’s saying there’s going to be 100,000 job losses as a result of the Labour Party’s policies.
“This is industry investment experts who are saying that, and it’s not just to do with ending new licences, it’s to do with removing investment allowances and it’s to do with extending taxation upon the industry.
“If you take away those 100,000 jobs, you are no longer in a position to end net zero, because the people that can do that for you, the very clever people who live in my part of the world, the ones who can drive investment and deliver that net zero future, are the ones who will lose their jobs and their very talented workforce, and they’d seek to go elsewhere to support their families, and rightfully so.
“What the Labour Party are proposing is extremely dangerous, not just for the north-east of Scotland, but right across Scotland’s economy”.
He added: “It’s why experts have been calling them out on it, it’s why we’ve been calling them out on it, and it’s why the public need to reflect upon the damage that their policies will do to our economy, should they get into power.
“Of course, that’s the reason why need SNP MPs there, because if we’re going to capture our renewables opportunity, we need SNP MPs there to put Scotland first in that regard”.
Social media access for parents: Labour and Tory MPs give differing commitment promises
Social media access for parents: Labour and Tory differ in commitment
The new law to entitle bereaved parents access to their children’s social media accounts was dropped due to the pending general election. On Sunday 2 June, Laura Kuenssberg called the Shadow Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, and Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Victoria Atkins, to account for their ongoing commitments to the bill. Labour’s Yvette Cooper said, “We do need to pursue this again, and there’s a series of areas where we need urgent action around online safety.” “Would Labour implement it straight away,” pressed Kuenssberg, to which Cooper replied, “Yes.” Meanwhile, Conservative MP Victoria Atkins swerved on a full commitment: “If it was my decision alone, it would be a big yes. But let’s wait and see what the manifesto says.”
Tories have ‘absolutely destroyed’ UK relationship with EU, says Scottish Lib Dem leader
The Tories have “absolutely destroyed” Britain’s relationship with the European Union, according to the Scottish Liberal Democrats.
Party leader Alex Cole-Hamilton told BBC One Scotland’s The Sunday Show of the Lib Dems’ hopes of getting Britain “back into the heart” of Europe.
Describing the Liberal Democrats as “proud Europeans”, he says his party would attempt to rebuild the country’s relationship with the EU and encourage free movement.
Here are some of the latest photos from the campaign trail
As politicians from across the political spectrum advocate on behalf of their parties this morning, below we have some of the latest photos of from the media rounds.
Scottish Lib Dems say vote for them would mean more support for mental health
The Scottish Liberal Democrats have said a vote for them would mean more support for mental health and less pressure on GPs.
Leader Alex Cole-Hamilton told BBC One Scotland’s The Sunday Show that the Lib Dems would triple digital mental health support on social media.
He said social media in itself is responsible for mental health problems in modern society, particularly among young people.
He said one in four GP appointments are due to mental health issues and believes his party’s approach would help free up appointment spaces with GPs across the country.
Green Party co-leader says 3 candidates are no longer running
Green Party co-leader Adrian Ramsay said three of the party’s election candidates were “no longer going forward” following reports of inappropriate comments.
Mr Ramsay told the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme: “The Green Party takes any suggestions of antisemitism, or indeed any form of racism, very seriously.
“Any suggestions that have been made of inappropriate comments in recent weeks are being investigated by the relevant people.”
He added: “In the last couple of weeks, there were three candidates who had been selected who are no longer going forward.
“I understand there’s a small number more who are still being looked at.”
Mr Ramsay said the Green Party was planning to get at least four MPs elected “to push the new government to be bolder”.
He said the party had a “fantastic chance of winning” the constituencies of Bristol Central, Waveney Valley, North Herefordshire and Brighton Pavilion.
