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Tory Minister Alex Burghart was met with laughter as he praised Rishi Sunak on BBC Question TimeMr Burghart appeared on the show on Thursday (26 January) and said: “The truth is, Rishi Sunak has been doing an incredibly good job in very, very difficult circumstances.”His comments were met by laughter from the audience, with many people shaking their heads.Mr Burghart said: “Hear me out, this has probably been …” before he was stopped by host Fiona Bruce.She said: “Just a minute. Why do you think people are laughing?” More

Rishi Sunak admitted he had a “stressful moment” as he helped apprentices wire a fuse box at a construction training centre in Scarborough.The prime minister looked delighted with their work and eagerly waited to see if the lights came on once the switch was thrown.“Boom! God, that was a stressful moment there,” Mr Sunak joked.He also took selfies with some of the apprentices studying at the Construction Skills Village, located near Scarborough, during a visit to the site on Thursday 25 January. More

Watch the moment an MP’s phone alarm interrupts a Commons debate, as members burst out laughing in response.Business and Trade questions in the Commons were briefly interrupted when Labour MP Barry Sheerman’s phone began to sound an alarm on Thursday (25 January).The Huddersfield MP ran from his seat on the Commons benches to turn off the high-pitched siren-like sound.Conservative former minister David Davis could be heard laughing from the backbenches, as he said: “Is that a pacemaker?” before other MPs started to laugh. More

David Cameron has told Israel to “deal with the bottlenecks” and allow aid into Gaza.The foreign secretary held talks with Benjamin Netanyahu, in which he told the prime minister of the need for a two-state solution.It came after the Israeli prime minister rejected allies’ demands for Palestinian statehood.Lord Cameron, who flew to Israel on Wednesday (24 January) said: “They’ve got to deal with the bottlenecks.“They’ve got to make sure the crossing points are open more often. They’ve got to make sure the checking is done more quickly.” More

James Cleverly has said it would be “foolish” for the Tory party to indulge in infighting following Sir Simon Clarke’s call for Rishi Sunak to be replaced.“I know Simon very well, I like him and respect him. I could not disagree with him more on this particular issue,” the home secretary said, defending the prime minister.Mr Cleverly added that Mr Sunak was succeeding in his efforts to reduce inflation and cut the number of people arriving on small boats. More

Sir Keir Starmer has said Britain under the Tories is the “longest episode of EastEnders ever.” Speaking at Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, 24 January, the Labour leader said: “Safely ensconced in Westminster they get down to the real business of fighting each other to death. The country forced to endure their division and chaos, the longest episode of Eastenders ever put to film.”It comes as the Conservatives faced more party infighting this week with a senior Tory calling for Rishi Sunak’s resignation. More

Rishi Sunak sent his “best wishes” to King Charles III and the Princess of Wales regarding their health.His Majesty is preparing to undergo treatment for an enlarged prostate this week, and Kate has spent a week in hospital being cared for as she recovers from abdominal surgery.The 42-year-old princess is expected to remain hospitalised for between 10 and 14 days in total.Charles, 75, has returned to Sandringham ready to undergo treatment after flying back from Scotland with the Queen on Friday (19 January).He received his diagnosis on Wednesday having had a check-up after experiencing symptoms. More

A Tory minister appeared to confuse Art Attack presenter Neil Buchanan for a BBC journalist as he discussed “bias” at the broadcaster.Huw Merriman appeared to accuse the children’s TV star of giving “one side of the story” in his reporting on Universal Credit – but he has never done so, instead presenting the arts and crafts show from 1990 until 2007.BBC social affairs correspondent Michael Buchanan has reported on Universal Credit.It came after culture secretary Lucy Frazer accused the BBC of bias amid plans for Ofcom’s reach over the broadcaster to be extended. More