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Rishi Sunak accused Sir Keir Starmer of having provided legal representation to Hizb ut-Tahrir, an Islamist political group that the UK is now planning to ban as a terror organisation, during Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday (17 January).The prime minister appeared to reference the Labour leader being part of a team of lawyers who represented the group in 2008 when it tried to overturn a ban in Germany, which was unsuccessful.“When I see a group chanting jihad on our streets I ban them, he invoices them,” Mr Sunak added.Sir Keir’s spokesperson said choosing to give legal advice to a group is very different from agreeing with or endorsing the views of that organisation. More

Rishi Sunak was reprimanded by Sir Lindsay Hoyle for using a “prop” during Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, 17 January.The prime minister was told to sit down as the speaker rose from his seat after Mr Sunak said “[Sir Keir Starmer] always been more interested in what lefty lawyers have to say… I’ve even got here the textbook that he authored for them.”Mr Sunak appeared to hold a photocopy of the cover of the Labour leader’s book European Human Rights Law.“When I stand up, please sit down… We don’t use props in this house,” Sir Lindsay said. More

An MP has revealed he suffered a heart attack just five months ago and thanked those who helped save his life.Dean Russell, MP for Watford, used his time during Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday (17 January) to thank those who helped him.Mr Russell said: “Unexpectedly, five months ago, I had a heart attack. Thanks to the swift action of the NHS and emergency services, it was caught early. So one stent operation later, I was on a swift path to rehabilitation and recovery, and I’m now sat here today fighting fit, and a bit lighter too.” More

Sir Keir Starmer joked that “the only people sent to Rwanda are ministers” as he criticised the government ahead of a crunch vote on the plan.Rishi Sunak is seeking to win over Tory rebels ahead of the vote on his flagship policy – which takes place on Wednesday 17 January – amid the biggest Conservative revolt of his leadership.“The only people he’s sent to Rwanda are cabinet ministers,” Sir Keir said during PMQs.“We know that the prime minister himself doesn’t even believe in this gimmick… he didn’t want to fund it, he didn’t think it would work.” More

Rishi Sunak has refused to answer questions about 4,250 migrants earmarked for deportation to Rwanda who have gone missing.Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer demanded three times to know: “Where are they?” during Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday (17 January).The Prime Minister appeared to hit back saying the Government has identified and removed more than 20,000 people from the country.He then launched a verbal attack on the Labour leader for saying he would scrap the deportation scheme if Labour win the next election. More

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