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The home secretary has been accused of “running for the hills” after skipping a live TV interview on Sky News.Yvette Cooper was reportedly due to appear on Sky’s breakfast show on Wednesday (24 July), to discuss her party temporarily removing the whip from seven MPs who voted against the government on an amendment to scrap the two-child benefit cap.Kay Burley asked fellow presenter Wilfred Frost: “What do you think of the home secretary running for the hills this morning and not wanting to explain to us why seven MPs have had the whip removed from them for now?”Frost replied: “It sends out a pretty, strong message – and also as we know, it leaves you hanging. It’s rather disrespectful.” More

A Labour MP who had the whip suspended after voting against the government on an amendment to scrap the two-child benefit cap has broken her silence.Zarah Sultana, MP for Coventry South, was one of seven Labour MPs who had the suspended by Sir Keir Starmer, for voting against the party.Charities and unions have urged the prime minister to dump the cap, brought in nearly a decade ago.It currently affects 1.6 million children by limiting welfare payments to the first two children in most families.Discussing her decision when she appeared on Good Morning Britain on Wednesday (24 July), Ms Sultana said: “It is a moral imperative on the Labour Party to scrap it.” More

James Cleverly paid tribute to his parents in a video announcing that he is running to be the next leader of the Conservative Party.The shadow home secretary recalled his childhood in south east London, and spoke of how his mother was a midwife in the NHS and his father started a small business.Mr Cleverly said the Conservatives needed to “re-establish our reputation as the party who, in government, helps grow the economy, helps people achieve their goals, their dreams, and their aspirations”.After losing the general election, Rishi Sunak said that he will step down as party leader once formal arrangements for selecting his successor are in place. More

Suella Braverman has been told she should be “hanging your head in shame” over the Tory party’s approach to immigration.The former home secretary, who was a guest presenter on LBC on Tuesday morning (23 July), took a call from a listener called James in Glasgow.James told her: “You should be hanging your head in shame. The Tory party has exacerbated this problem for political gain.”James also urged her to apologise for the £700 million Labour claimed she spent on the scheme.Ms Braverman asked: “What is your solution, James?“We promised and failed and for various reasons we didn’t succeed. Do you think they [Labou] are going to fix the problem?” More

James Cleverly has hinted that he will launch a Tory leadership bid.The shadow home secretary was quizzed on whether he will run for the job, as nominations for Rishi Sunak’s replacement open tomorrow (24 July).Appearing on Good Morning Britain on Tuesday (23 July), Mr Cleverly said: “Of course, I and a number of other people have thought about the future of our country, have thought about the contribution of the party and our personal contribution to those things.“Of course, I don’t think I’m alone in having given that serious thought.” More

A new MP fought back tears after recalling the death of his parents in a house fire, saying of his election to Parliament: “I hope I made you proud.”Alex Easton dabbed his eyes and was hugged by fellow MPs after delivering his first speech in the House of Commons on Monday (22 July).The independent unionist MP’s success was tinged with sadness after his mother and father died in January 2023 following a blaze at a property in the Dellmount Park area of Bangor.Alec and Ann Easton, who were aged in their 80s, were treated for injuries but both died at the scene.Speaking in the Commons on Monday (22 July), Mr Easton said their deaths “caused a lot of heartache for me”. More

Rachel Reeves admitted she is still getting used to being called “chancellor” and says she has to “pinch herself” occasionally.The Labour chancellor appeared on the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg show on 21 July, and was asked if she was used to being called “chancellor” yet.Laughing, Ms Reeves said: “Keir Starmer used the words and said ‘and this afternoon the chancellor’, and I thought ‘what has he done now >’ and then I remembered it was me.“I am still getting used to it but I do have to pinch myself occasionally.” More

This is the moment shadow health secretary Victoria Atkins stands up at the Commons dispatch box to shout at environment secretary Steve Reed, while he is still speaking.Mr Reed was addressing MPs on Friday (19 July), when the exchange took place.Mr Reed tells MPs “There will be 500 more mental health professionals and a hub in every community” as Ms Atkins is seen shouting over him and pointing her finger at him.The Speaker interrupts and states: “The right honourable lady has behaved abominably” More