UK Politics

Education secretary Bridget Phillipson has emerged as the early frontrunner in the race to replace Angela Rayner as Labour’s deputy leader.After days of speculation over who Sir Keir Starmer’s preferred candidate would be, Ms Phillipson is seen as the leadership’s choice and should easily get the 80 MPs needed to nominate her.Hours after she threw her hat in the ring, a poll by Survation for Labour-focused website LabourList shows she is in pole position with Labour members. Bridget Phillipson is drawing on her working-class background in a bid to get the 80 nominations she needs to stand for deputy leadership More

Sir Keir Starmer has given Peter Mandelson his full backing after it emerged the British ambassador to the US had described notorious paedophile Jeffrey Epstein as his “best pal”.Lord Mandelson features in a 50th birthday book for Epstein that was compiled by the late financier’s ex-girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell, who is currently in prison for her role in recruiting and trafficking minors for sex.It contained a photo of Lord Mandelson and Epstein on what appeared to be the multimillionaire’s island, as well as a handwritten note for the disgraced financier.After the message was made public in files released by a US congressional committee, the prime minister’s official spokesman stressed he has full confidence in the Labour grandee, praising his work in strengthening Britain’s relations with the US under Donald Trump. Sir Keir Starmer backed Lord Mandelson More

Peter Mandelson is facing fresh questions over his ties to the late paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. The British ambassador to the US has been linked to a 50th birthday photo book compiled for the financier by Ghislaine Maxwell, now in prison for her role in recruiting and trafficking minors for sex. An apparent contribution by Lord Mandelson features a picture of the pair together, with the former minister grinning in a bathrobe, before he describes Epstein as his “best pal”. Lord Mandelson appeared to describe Jeffrey Epstein as his ‘best pal’ More

Peter Mandelson appeared to refer to Jeffrey Epstein as his “best pal” as he shared a photograph of the pair together in which he is wearing a bathrobe, according to files released by a US congressional committee. Britain’s ambassador to Washington features in a 50th birthday book for Epstein that was compiled by the late financier’s ex-girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell, who is currently in prison for her role in recruiting and trafficking minors for sex. The book contained a photo of Lord Mandelson and Epstein on what appeared to be the multimillionaire’s island, as well as a handwritten note for the paedophile. The note appeared to take the form of a poem from Lord Mandelson to Epstein, beginning: “Once upon a time, an intelligent, sharp-witted man they call ‘mysterious’ parachuted into my life.” Other pictures featured alongside the note included a shot of Lord Mandelson on a balcony in a pair of swimming trunks, shot from behind, with his hands on his hips. Mandelson appeared to describe Jeffrey Epstein as his ‘best pal’ More

Calls have been made for Boris Johnson to be stripped of his access to an allowance for former prime ministers over allegations he has profited from contacts he made while in office.The Guardian published a series of stories based on leaked data provided by a non-profit organisation that suggest Mr Johnson profited from contacts and influence he gained in office.Mr Johnson is alleged to have lobbied a senior Saudi official he met while in office to share a pitch with crown prince Mohammed bin Salman, and to have been paid more than £200,000 after meeting Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro.Liberal Democrat Cabinet Office spokesperson Sarah Olney MP said: “These allegations are extremely shocking.“This is yet another reminder of how deep the rot in the Conservative Party goes — it is riddled by sleaze and scandal.Johnson pictured with Mohammed bin Salman in 2022 More

Nigel Farage has been ordered to pay more than £10,000 to the original founder of the Brexit Party. Catherine Blaiklock had brought legal proceedings after she claims she was forced out of control of the party ahead of the 2019 European elections.The county court in Plymouth awarded judgement in default after Mr Farage failed to respond to papers sent against him. The court awarded the maximum £9,999 in compensation plus £455 costs.Reform UK party leader Nigel Farage (Andrew Milligan/PA) More

Union leaders have warned of a “massive backlash” if the prime minister attempts to water down the workers’ rights bill following his sweeping cabinet reshuffle. The removal of two ministers who were the architects of the bill – former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner and ex-employment minister Justin Madders – prompted fears among unions of a shift to the right in Sir Keir Starmer’s government.One senior union figure described Sir Keir’s reshuffle as “a right-wing coup”, adding: “The employment rights package is a red line.“There will be a massive backlash if any attempt is made to water the bill down.”Downing Street moved to calm fears over the issue on Monday as the Labour Party teetered on the verge of civil war. A spokesperson said the legislation had the “absolute backing” of the government and Sir Keir would ensure that dozens of amendments put in by Tory and Lib Dem peers will be voted down.Sir Keir told Labour MPs during a meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party on Monday evening: “Let me be crystal clear with you, all these commitments continue under this Labour government. The Employment Rights bill will continue with the same substance and timetable as before.” Starmer is under pressure following the resignation of Rayner and his cabinet reshuffle More

Ed Miliband is said to have defied a bid by Sir Keir Starmer to remove him from the energy department and give him Angela Rayner’s former department.The controversial energy secretary, who has become a lightning rod for right-wing attacks on the Labour government because of his commitment to tackling climate change, was offered the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), ITV political editor Robert Peston has claimed on The Rest Is Money podcast.Mr Miliband apparently point-blank refused to quit his energy secretary job, where he has been on a mission to shut down carbon-powered energy and replace it with solar and wind farms.Ed Miliband on his way to 10 Downing Street More