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Your support helps us to tell the storyFind out moreCloseOur mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.Louise ThomasEditorAn extraordinary blame game has erupted dragging in Liz Truss and James Cleverly following Sir Keir Starmer’s shock decision to hand over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.The deal is meant to secure the future of a secretive military base on the island of Diego Garcia, but it has left the UK without sovereign territorial control over a piece of land that is crucial to Western security in the Indian Ocean. The US-UK base will remain on Diego Garcia, but this latest development has led to fears that China could achieve its goal of setting up bases on the Chagos Islands.The sudden announcement was rapidly followed by a furious tweet from Tory leadership contender James Cleverly calling the Labour government “weak, weak, weak”. However, it quickly emerged that the talks to hand over the islands were instigated by Mr Cleverly himself before being halted by his successor as foreign secretary David Cameron.In a pointed tweet, his Tory leadership rival and former security minister Tom Tugendhat described the fact that the talks were opened under a Conservative government as “disgraceful”, though he did not namecheck Mr Cleverly.But Mr Cleverly’s camp has hit back with a briefing that blames former prime minister Liz Truss and suggests that the loss of the islands is part of the toxic legacy of her 49-day premiership.A source close to Mr Cleverly said: “Ultimately, the direction is set by the prime minister on these matters. [Liz] Truss’s decision surprised many people. These included James Cleverly, who inherited responsibility for the talks when he became foreign secretary and had to make the announcement.”They noted that Mr Cleverly’s talks had followed discussions held by Ms Truss herself with the prime minister of Mauritius.The source went on: “After the initial formal negotiations began, James Cleverly, Grant Shapps and Oliver Dowden were working on it together. They agreed that there wasn’t going to be ground found that would be acceptable. After 15 months of James Cleverly in the Foreign Office, it wasn’t signed off, but [Keir] Starmer and David Lammy signed it off in the first three months.”The Independent has approached Ms Truss’s office for comment.There is a joint UK-US military base on Diego Garcia, one of a cluster of islands in the Indian Ocean known as the Chagos Islands More

Your support helps us to tell the storyFind out moreCloseOur mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.Louise ThomasEditorThe first charter flight carrying British citizens out of Lebanon has landed in Birmingham amid escalating conflict in the Middle East.The Dan Air plane touched down at Birmingham International Airport shortly before 8.40pm, having departed from Beirut and stopped off in Bucharest, Romania, on its journey.Foreign secretary David Lammy said earlier on Wednesday that more charter flights have been arranged for this week following Israel’s ground offensive into southern Lebanon against the Iran-backed Hezbollah – which has followed more than a week of heavy bombardment. The Israeli military has warned people to evacuate around 50 villages and towns across southern Lebanon with intense clashes with Hezbollah forces.Nearly 2,000 people have been killed in Lebanon in the past year and around 1.2 million people have been displaced from their homes, Lebanese authorities say. The majority of the deaths came in the past two weeks.There are believed to be around 4,000 to 6,000 Brits in Lebanon, many of whom have been left unable to book flights out of the country due to cancellations and skyrocketing prices.But the UK government announced this week that a charter flight would carry hundreds of Brits home, at a price of £350 per head.Foreign secretary David Lammy wrote on X/Twitter on Wednesday afternoon: “The first charter flight taking British nationals out of Lebanon has now departed.“We have arranged another flight for tomorrow, and further flights over the coming days for as long as there is demand and it is safe to do so.”People greet their family members arriving via a commercial flight from Beirut on Wednesday More

Your support helps us to tell the storyFind out moreCloseOur mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.Louise ThomasEditorBuckingham Palace did not ask Boris Johnson to attempt to persuade Prince Harry to stay in the UK, according to reports.The former PM has claimed in a new book he was urged to give the Duke of Sussex a “manly pep talk” to convince him to stay in the UK and not step back from royal duties.In his memoir, Unleashed, which will be published on 10 October, Mr Johnson describes “a ridiculous business… when they made me try to persuade Harry to stay. Kind of manly pep talk. Totally hopeless”.Reports said the pair had a 20-minute meeting behind closed doors on the margins of a UK-Africa investment summit in London’s Docklands, on 20 January, 2020.It came just hours after Prince Harry announced with “great sadness” that he and Meghan felt they had “no other option” but to step away from royal life.During the subsequent meeting, the two men met for 20 minutes without aides as Mr Johnson tried to persuade the prince to reconsider.The Telegraph reports sources close to the Duke of Sussex confirmed the prime minister did suggest to him he should remain in the UK.The Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced they were stepping back as senior royals in January 2020 More

Your support helps us to tell the storyFind out moreCloseAs your White House correspondent, I ask the tough questions and seek the answers that matter.Your support enables me to be in the room, pressing for transparency and accountability. Without your contributions, we wouldn’t have the resources to challenge those in power.Your donation makes it possible for us to keep doing this important work, keeping you informed every step of the way to the November electionAndrew FeinbergWhite House CorrespondentCherie Blair has opened up about how she was pushed down the stairs by a domestic abuser while representing his vulnerable victim.The leading barrister said her attacker was out of control and clearly felt entirely justified in his attack on her, which took place when she was a young lawyer.In a deeply personal interview with The Independent, the wife of former prime minister Sir Tony Blair also described her guilt after a client was killed by her abusive partner because she returned home as she had nowhere else to go.Recalling the attack on her, Ms Blair said: “As a young barrister when I was in court and we got the [restraining] order against the perpetrator, as I came out of court, he followed me and he pulled me down the stairs in the court.“I had to be rescued by the court staff because he was so out of control. He believed he was entitled to behave in that way, he was perfectly prepared to attack me.”The leading barrister said her attacker was out of control and clearly felt entirely justified in his attack on her More

Your support helps us to tell the storyFind out moreCloseIn my reporting on women’s reproductive rights, I’ve witnessed the critical role that independent journalism plays in protecting freedoms and informing the public.Your support allows us to keep these vital issues in the spotlight. Without your help, we wouldn’t be able to fight for truth and justice.Every contribution ensures that we can continue to report on the stories that impact livesKelly RissmanUS News ReporterWith the Conservative government’s failed Rwanda immigration plan behind us, Keir Starmer looks to be eyeing Italy’s controversial offshore processing deal with Albania. Italy’s Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, said Starmer has shown “great interest” in their scheme, which sends asylum seekers to Albania while their claims are processed. After a summit in Rome, Starmer didn’t rule out a similar approach for the UK, emphasising a “British pragmatism” in solving the small boats crisis. It comes after another tragic incident in the English Channel, where eight people died trying to cross.Italy’s deal has led to a 60% reduction in boat crossings over the past year. In contrast to the previous government’s Rwanda plan, which would have sent asylum seekers to Africa regardless of the outcome of their claim, Albania only processes claims offshore, with successful claimants possibly entering Italy and unsuccessful ones returning to their home countries.However, not everyone supports the idea. Amnesty International’s Steve Valdez-Symonds argues the UK shouldn’t offload its refugee responsibilities, urging it to take leadership instead. Labour MP Kim Johnson also raised concerns, finding it troubling that Starmer is learning from what she called a “neo-fascist government,” especially after recent far-right incidents in the UK.Human Rights Watch also criticised Italy’s Albania deal, arguing it undermines asylum rights and won’t likely deter dangerous crossings. Starmer, while interested, remains cautious, saying it’s early days and he’s observing how Italy’s approach unfolds.The big question remains: should the UK outsource its immigration solutions again, or is there a better way to tackle the small boats crisis? Share your thoughts by adding them in the comments — we’ll highlight the most insightful ones as they come in.All you have to do is sign up and register your details — then you can take part in the discussion. You can also sign up by clicking ‘log in’ on the top right-hand corner of the screen.Share your thoughts by adding them in the comments — we’ll highlight the most insightful ones as they come in.All you have to do is sign up and register your details — then you can take part in the discussion. You can also sign up by clicking ‘log in’ on the top right-hand corner of the screen. More

Your support helps us to tell the storyFind out moreCloseAs your White House correspondent, I ask the tough questions and seek the answers that matter.Your support enables me to be in the room, pressing for transparency and accountability. Without your contributions, we wouldn’t have the resources to challenge those in power.Your donation makes it possible for us to keep doing this important work, keeping you informed every step of the way to the November electionAndrew FeinbergWhite House CorrespondentChildren in the UK could potentially be banned from using social media because of the harm it’s causing to their health and mental health, a minister has suggested.Technology secretary Peter Kyle has vowed to look closely at what happens in Australia, where the government plans to introduce a bill barring children from using platforms such as Facebook and Instagram.Prime minister Anthony Albanese said a consultation would be carried out on an age limit of between 14 and 16, because social media was taking children away from real-life experiences with friends and family.Peter Kyle says he is open-minded about a crackdown More

Your support helps us to tell the storyFind out moreCloseAs your White House correspondent, I ask the tough questions and seek the answers that matter.Your support enables me to be in the room, pressing for transparency and accountability. Without your contributions, we wouldn’t have the resources to challenge those in power.Your donation makes it possible for us to keep doing this important work, keeping you informed every step of the way to the November electionAndrew FeinbergWhite House CorrespondentA slower and cheaper 50-mile railway line could be built in place of a scrapped section of HS2, a new report has revealed.The alternative route between Staffordshire and Cheshire, which would connect with the east-west Northern Powerhouse Rail, was described as a “golden opportunity” by former HS2 chairman Sir David Higgins.It comes after former prime minister Rishi Sunak cancelled a plan to extend HS2 between the West Midlands and Manchester amid spiralling costs.The report commissioned by mayors of Greater Manchester and the West Midlands said the route would be critical for movements of passengers and freight between the two regions.It did not provide an estimated cost of the new project but said financing should be “maximised from the private sector”, with central and local governments “partnering to fund the balance”.Former prime minister cancelled a plan to extend HS2 between the West Midlands and Manchester amid spiralling costs More

Your support helps us to tell the storyFind out moreCloseAs your White House correspondent, I ask the tough questions and seek the answers that matter.Your support enables me to be in the room, pressing for transparency and accountability. Without your contributions, we wouldn’t have the resources to challenge those in power.Your donation makes it possible for us to keep doing this important work, keeping you informed every step of the way to the November electionAndrew FeinbergWhite House CorrespondentThe UK’s economy saw a second month of stagnation in July, also recording no growth in June, the Office for National Statistics has said.Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which is the measure of the value of goods and services, is shown to have flatlined for the month. The figures are the first for the period since Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour power after the 4 July general election.Chancellor Rachel Reeves said: “I am under no illusion about the scale of the challenge we face and I will be honest with the British people that change will not happen overnight.“Two quarters of positive economic growth does not make up for fourteen years of stagnation.“That is why we are taking the long-term decisions now to fix the foundations of our economy.”Economists had been expecting GDP to edge up by 0.1 per cent in July, according to a consensus provided by Pantheon Macroeconomics.The latest data comes after the economy continued its recovery from recession at the end of last year, with growth of 0.6 percent between April and June.The ONS’s data showed that the services sector increased by 0.1 per cent in July but by 0.6 per cent across the three months to July.The accommodation and food and beverages category ticked up by 0.9 per cent, with accommodation, including hotels, the biggest contributor with 2.2% growth recorded during the month.ONS director of economic statistics Liz McKeown said: “The economy recorded no growth for the second month running, though longer term strength in the services sector meant there was growth over the last three months as a whole.“July’s monthly services growth was led by computer programmers and health, which recovered from strike action in June. These gains were partially offset by falls for advertising companies, architects and engineers.“Manufacturing fell, overall, with a particularly poor month for car and machinery firms, while construction also declined.”Rob Wood, chief UK economist for Pantheon Macroeconomics, said GDP was “dragged down by erratic sectors” and that he is expecting a “substantial rebound” in economic growth in August, as manufacturing and construction recover.He also said consumer spending could “keep rising as the prospect of interest rate cuts and a more political and a more stable political and economic environment allow households to lower their saving rate” during the second half of 2024. More