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    Rishi Sunak admits still talking to Boris Johnson as he refuses to rule out comeback

    Rishi Sunak has said he still speaks to Boris Johnson “on occasion” and refused to rule out bringing the former prime minister back into the fold.Speaking to ITV, the PM said he was “proud of the work we did together” before he became one of the first in a series of ministerial departures before the former Tory leader’s resignation.Mr Sunak insisted he would “never talk about these personnel things”.“We worked well together for a long time. In the end there are, you know, well-documented differences,” he added. More

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    Refugees going back to Ukraine and people pulling own teeth out amid NHS shortages, minister says

    Patients are pulling their teeth out and Ukrainian refugees are flying back to the war-torn country for appointments amid a lack of NHS dentistry services, Wes Streeting has said.It comes after a seven-year-old Ukrainian girl and her mother flew to Poland and took a 15-hour bus across Ukraine for dental treatment because the NHS waiting list was so long.A British Dental Association survey of 500 UK dentists found that “DIY” dentistry is “rampant” – 82 per cent of respondents said they have treated patients who have taken matters into their own hands since lockdown.The BDA said “DIY dentistry” could be any form of DIY dental care, from a simple filling kit to an attempt at extraction. More

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    Sunak tells Starmer he will not ‘take lectures from man who thought it was right to defend terrorists’

    Rishi Sunak told Sir Keir Starmer he would “not take lectures from someone who thought it was right to defend terrorists” as the pair clashed during Prime Minister’s Questions today (Wednesday 7 February).The Labour leader listed a number of the prime minister’s recent gaffes as he spoke at the despatch box, before concluding “his own MPs are saying he simply does not get what Britain needs”.“Mr Speaker, I’m not going to take any lectures about ‘getting Britain’ from a man who thought it was right to defend terrorists,” the prime minister responded, to cheers from Conservative MPs. More

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    Minister says Rishi Sunak’s trans jibe should not be made into ‘huge issue’

    Laura Trott does not believe Rishi Sunak should apologise after he derided Labour’s policy on transgender rights during Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday 7 February.The prime minister has come under fire for mocking Sir Keir Starmer’s track record on trans rights while Brianna Ghey’s mother was a guest in parliament.In a fiery exchange, Mr Sunak accused the Labour leader of u-turning on his definition of a woman.“I don’t think we should make this a huge issue about trans,” Ms Trott, the chief secretary to the Treasury, said after PMQs.She was asked twice if Mr Sunak should apologise for his comments. More

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    MP fights back tears as he opens up on suicide attempt in PMQs speech

    If you are experiencing feelings of distress and isolation, or are struggling to cope, The Samaritans offer support; you can speak to someone for free over the phone, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.An MP fought back tears as he shared his story of attempting suicide in 2021.Speaking during Prime Minister’s Questions on Tuesday (7 February), Conservative MP Elliot Colburn became emotional as he apologised to family and friends and thanked the NHS for their care.“I felt alone, scared, and like there was no way out… But I don’t recognize that man anymore,” he said. More

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    Starmer takes jibe at Sunak as he criticises NHS waiting lists: ‘Glad he did not bet on it’

    Sir Keir Starmer opened PMQs with a jibe at Rishi Sunak’s recent bet.The prime minister has faced criticism after betting £1,000 on being able to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda before the next election.He made the wager during an interview with Piers Morgan.“Mr Speaker, a year ago, the prime minister promised to bring NHS waiting lists down. Isn’t he glad he didn’t bet £1,000 on it?” Sir Keir asked, drawing laughter from the chamber.“At least I stand by my commitments,” Mr Sunak responded, suggesting Sir Keir is “indecisive”. More

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    Sunak faces backlash for PMQs transgender ‘joke’ as Brianna Ghey’s mother sits in gallery

    Rishi Sunak faced backlash for making a transgender “joke” during Prime Minister’s Questions today (7 February), as Brianna Ghey’s mother watched on in the gallery.The prime minister joked that Sir Keir Starmer had changed his position on “defining a woman” following the Labour leader’s tribute to the murdered schoolgirl and her mother, Esther Ghey.Accusing Mr Starmer of “breaking every single promise he was elected on”, the Prime Minister said: “I think I have counted almost 30 in the last year. Pensions, planning, peerages, public sector pay, tuition fees, childcare, second referendums, defining a woman, although in fairness that was only 99 percent of a u-turn.”Mr Starmer replied: “Of all the weeks to say that, when Brianna’s mother is in this chamber. Shame.“Parading as a man of integrity when he’s got absolutely no responsibility.” More

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    Sunak and Starmer send ‘get well’ message to King Charles after cancer diagnosis

    Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer sent well wishes to King Charles III following his cancer diagnosis.The party leaders sent get well messages to the monarch as they spoke at Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, 7 February.His Majesty, 75, has postponed all public-facing duties but is continuing with behind-the-scenes work on his red boxes of state papers.Charles usually has a weekly audience with Mr Sunak on Wednesday.The PM said he was thankful the King’s cancer has been “caught early”. More