Indy TV

A Tory minister has been mocked after declaring himself a sports fan – but then appearing to forget which football team he supports.Immigration minister Michael Tomlinson was asked on Sky News if he has watched ITV’s Mr Bates vs the Post Office and said that he only has time to watch sports on television.“If you want to ask me about cricket or sport then please do,” he said.“Who is your football team?” Kay Burley asked before Mr Tomlinson said that he “doesn’t really have” one.“So you’re not a sports fan, really?” the presenter snapped back. More

Jeremy Hunt has insisted that the government’s plan to bring inflation down is “working” despite it rising in December.The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said the rate of Consumer Prices Index (CPI) inflation rose to 4 per cent in December, up from 3.9 per cent in November.It has increased for the first time since February last year after rises in tobacco and alcohol prices, according to official figures.Inflation “never falls in a straight line,” the chancellor added, referencing rises in the US, France, and Germany. More

Illegal migration minister Michael Tomlinson has insisted there was a “unity of purpose” among MPs on the Prime Minister’s Rwanda plan.“What we saw yesterday was a unity of purpose, every single Conservative member of Parliament determined to ensure that the Rwanda policy works and to stop the boats,” he told Sky News on Wednesday (17 January).Mr Tomlinson said there had been “detailed debate and constructive, robust exchanges on all sides”.Asked if the Government might consider pulling the third reading after the backbench rebellion, he said: “Oh, no. This afternoon, I’ll be on my feet again in the chamber of the House of Commons.” More

Tory minister Michael Tomlinson admitted he hasn’t watched ITV’s Post Office drama during a car crash interview on Sky News.The legal immigration minister made the admission during a live interview with Kay Burley on Wednesday morning (17 January).Mr Tomlinson said: “I have been focusing on my job which is as legal migration minister and stopping the boats.”Ms Burley responds: “Take four hours out of your time and you’ll be glad you did.”The presenter then tells him: “It’s not good is it? You’ve not even taken time out to watch it.” More

A GB News contributor told Gary Lineker to “shut up and enjoy his taxpayer-funded salary” in a bizarre rant.Speaking on the channel, political commentator Alex Armstrong accused the BBC presenter of “crossing the line” with a social media post calling for the expulsion of Israel from international sports competitions.“Gary, if you want to talk about politics, stand as an MP and get it over with. See if the people want you,” Mr Armstrong said.“Otherwise, shut up and enjoy your lovely taxpayer-funded salary.” More

Strikes in Yemen were a “last resort” designed to “restore stability” in the region, Rishi Sunak said on Monday (15 January).The prime minister’s comments came after the RAF joined US allies in targeting Houthi locations last week as part of allied efforts to ensure international cargo vessels can freely navigate the vital shipping route in the Red Sea.The Iran-backed militants who support Gaza ruler Hamas in the Palestinian group’s war against Israel, claims it targeted ships with links to Tel Aviv.“It was a last resort. It came after the end of exhaustive diplomatic activity including a UN Security Council,” Mr Sunak said. More

Grant Shapps has insisted that the government’s “plan is starting to work” despite suggestions the party is on course for a huge 1997-style election defeat.A YouGov survey, reported by The Telegraph, of 14,000 people indicates that Rishi Sunak’s Tories could hold on to as few as 169 seats as Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour enters Downing Street with 385.“This government is working to a plan that is starting to work, I think we’ll see it work a lot more in the months to come, compared with no plan under Keir Starmer,” Shapps told LBC on Monday (15 January). More

The Independent’s editor-in-chief Geordie Greig described David Cameron as a ‘Rolls-Royce’ returning to politics during a new interview on Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg this morning (14 January).“He’s smooth, he’s persuasive, he powers along”, Mr Greig noted, adding that there were ‘definitely bumps in the road’ – referring to the foreign secretary’s refusal to say how much he was paid by Greensill Capital.“Such a flatterer!”, Isabel Oakeshott responded to the analogy, however, Mr Greig insisted we’d “seen it all before”.David Cameron also appeared on the show, as well as Labour leader, Keir Starmer. More