News

David Cameron has said that Israel should “stop and think very seriously” before taking further action in the city of Rafah The British Foreign Secretary was speaking to reporters in East Kilbride, Scotland on Monday (11 February).The comments came after airstrikes in southern Gaza killed over 100 Palestinians, according to local health officials.The city is the last refuge of around one million displaced civilians. “We are very concerned about the situation and we want Israel to stop and think very seriously before it takes any further action. But above all, what we want is an immediate pause in the fighting and we want that pause to lead to a ceasefire,” Lord Cameron said. More

Rishi Sunak insisted his views on issues facing transgender people are “not controversial” after facing criticism for a jibe during Prime Minister’s Questions last week.The prime minister faced backlash after accusing Sir Keir Starmer of not being able to “define a woman” while Esther Ghey, the mother of murdered transgender teenager Brianna Ghey, was visiting Parliament.Speaking to the public during a GB News forum on Monday, Mr Sunak said: “When it comes to questions over women’s safety… biological sex is important”I really don’t think that anything I just said is controversial.” More

Rishi Sunak accused Sir Keir Starmer of standing by Labour Rochdale by-election candidate Azhar Ali as he spoke to members of the public during a GB News forum on Monday, 12 February.The prime minister said the Labour leader “stood by” the politician and “sent cabinet ministers to support him, until literally five minutes before I walked on tonight under enormous media pressure.”Labour withdrew its support for Mr Ali following criticism of remarks he made about Israel.Mr Ali apologised after he was recorded suggesting that Israel allowed the October 7 Hamas assault and used it as a pretext to invade Gaza.”The Labour Party hasn’t changed. It’s a con,” Mr Sunak added. More

Protesters calling for a ceasefire in Gaza gathered outside 10 Downing Street on Monday, 12 February, after Rafah was hit by airstrikes overnight.Two Israeli hostages were rescued from the town on the border with Egypt overnight following a raid on a heavily guarded apartment which killed at least 67 people, according to a spokesperson for the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza.Benjamin Netanyahu has signalled his intention to carry out a ground offensive on the city, now home to 1.4 million Palestinian refugees who have fled fighting elsewhere. More

This is the moment Michael Gove makes an awkward phone blunder during a live TV interview with Laura Kuenssberg on Sunday (11 February).The Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Secretary appeared on BBC One’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg. As Ms Kuenssberg introduces Mr Gove at the start of her live show, he can be seen looking at his mobile phone.Mr Gove then appears to realise he is live on television and smiles at the camera.Ms Kunessberg posted a clip of the moment on X, formerly Twitter, on Sunday. She captioned her post: “Nice of you to join us, Mr Gove.” More

The Labour Party’s UK campaign co-ordinator Pat McFadden has slammed Rochdale candidate Azhar Ali for comments he is alleged to have made about the 7 October Israel attack.Mr Ali has apologised after he reportedly said Israel had been warned about the 7 October attack and allowed it to happen.The Labour Party has issued a statement on behalf of the candidate after the Mail on Sunday published comments from a recording of him telling the Lancashire Labour party that Israel had warned of the attack before it happened, but they “deliberately took the security off”.Appearing on the Laura Kuenssberg Show on Sunday (11 February), Mr McFadden, who has been a Labour MP for more than 20 years, described Mr Ali’s claims as “appalling” and insisted they do not “represent the Labour Party”. More

Michael Gove admitted he can be “irritating” when he was quizzed over rumours of a fallout with his fellow cabinet minister Kemi Badenoch.The business secretary is understood to have fallen out with Mr Gove after he had an affair with one of her friends.The levelling-up secretary, who is divorced from columnist Sarah Vine, went on to have a relationship with the female friend of the business secretary, according to The Times. The woman has since separated from her husband.In an interview with The Times this week, Mr Badenoch confirmed the story for the first time. “He did something that was very, very annoying,” she admitted.When asked by Trevor Phillips what the “very annoying” thing was on Sunday (11 February), Mr Gove replied: “Me being me, there are plenty of things I do that irritate my colleagues from time to time.” More

Michael Gove has refused to follow Rishi Sunak’s example and enter into a £1,000 bet over the success of the Government’s Rwanda asylum scheme.The Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Secretary told Sky News’ Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips: “I don’t have that sort of money, Trevor.”But he added “we absolutely will” get flights off the ground before the general election.Asked whether he would make the bet with £100, Mr Gove said: “I would happily give you 100 quid, take you out for a very nice meal and spend that money on making sure that you are a happier man.”Phillips replied: “This is a political programme, not a dating agency.” More