UK

Your support helps us to tell the storyFind out moreCloseAs your White House correspondent, I ask the tough questions and seek the answers that matter.Your support enables me to be in the room, pressing for transparency and accountability. Without your contributions, we wouldn’t have the resources to challenge those in power.Your donation makes it possible for us to keep doing this important work, keeping you informed every step of the way to the November electionAndrew FeinbergWhite House CorrespondentHarrods boss Mohamed al-Fayed was a bully “used to getting his own way” the home secretary who rejected his application for citizenship has said. Jack Straw also told The Independent Fayed was “absolutely furious” after the decision was taken to refuse him a British passport in 1999.Fayed has been described as a “monster” whose case involves the “most horrific elements of … Jimmy Savile, Jeffrey Epstein and Harvey Weinstein” after five women alleged that they had been raped by the tycoon. A number of others allege sexual misconduct against the businessman, who died last year at the age of 94.A BBC documentary Al-Fayed: Predator At Harrods features more than 20 female former employees speaking out, while lawyers say the allegations against him include serial rape, attempted rape, sexual battery and sexual abuse of minors.Jack Straw More

Farage says there’s some truth in Trump’s claim Haitian migrants are eating petsYour support helps us to tell the storyFind out moreCloseMy recent work focusing on Latino voters in Arizona has shown me how crucial independent journalism is in giving voice to underrepresented communities.Your support is what allows us to tell these stories, bringing attention to the issues that are often overlooked. Without your contributions, these voices might not be heard.Every dollar you give helps us continue to shine a light on these critical issues in the run up to the election and beyondEric GarciaWashington Bureau ChiefReform UK leader Nigel Farage is set to deliver a keynote speech at the party’s conference in Birmingham. Mr Farage is expected to announce plans to “democratise” the party structure after he “relinquished” control of the company by giving up his majority shareholder position.It comes Richard Tice has defended Mr Farage’s attendance record in parliament. The Party’s deputy leader claimed “no one works harder than Nigel Farage.” Mr Farage has spoken seven times in parliament since he was elected.“As leader, you’ve got a huge job because you’re campaigning everywhere,” he said. “You’re sorting out the professionalisation with the chairman and so we’re sharing and sharing alike and that’s an important part of it.“You can’t be everywhere all the time. It’s really difficult. But let me tell you, no one works harder than Nigel Farage.”Mr Tice also defended his party leader’s frequent trips to the US, supporting his “friend” former president Donald Trump. Mr Farage has visited the US three times since being elected as the MP for Clacton, including attending the Republican national convention in Milwaukee two weeks after the election.Show latest update 1726818114Reform UK conference: Key timings to keep an eye onHere are some key timings to keep an eye on this afternoon during the Reform Party Conference in Birmingham:3pm: Rupert Lowe, MP for Great Yarmouth3:15pm: Chief whip Lee Anderson 3:30pm: Deputy Leader Richard Tice 3:45pm: Zia Yusuf, Reform Chairman4pm: Grand finale speech from party leader Nigel FarageJabed Ahmed20 September 2024 08:411726844124’I want my country back’, says Lee AndersonSpeaking to the Reform UK conference, Lee Anderson said it was a “disgrace” for children to be “taught they could be a different gender”.Opening his address on the main stage, Mr Anderson was met with loud applause. He told the audience: “I want my country back.”The MP for Ashfield continued: “I remember a time when our children went to school and they were taught how to read and write and become good citizens. They were not taught they could be a different gender.“They did not have to sit down and listen to a six-foot-five drag queen read stories to them.“This has been happening under our watch in this country. It is an absolute disgrace.”( More

Your support helps us to tell the storyFind out moreCloseAs your White House correspondent, I ask the tough questions and seek the answers that matter.Your support enables me to be in the room, pressing for transparency and accountability. Without your contributions, we wouldn’t have the resources to challenge those in power.Your donation makes it possible for us to keep doing this important work, keeping you informed every step of the way to the November electionAndrew FeinbergWhite House CorrespondentDavid Lammy is looking at contingency plans to evacuate UK nationals from Lebanon as tensions rise in the Middle East. The foreign secretary has already urged Brits to leave the country amid the conflict with Israel.Ministers are keen to avoid a repeat of the chaotic scenes three years ago when as Britons attempted to flee Afghanistan as the Taliban took over the country.Mr Lammy has urged people to leave Lebanon “while commercial options remain” warning that the situation “could deteriorate rapidly”.On Friday Hezbollah launched more than 140 rockets into Israel in the wake of fresh airstrikes on southern Lebanon by the Israeli military – with Beirut warning the conflict is spiralling out of control.Smoke rises from Beirut southern suburbs, Lebanon More

Your support helps us to tell the storyFind out moreCloseAs your White House correspondent, I ask the tough questions and seek the answers that matter.Your support enables me to be in the room, pressing for transparency and accountability. Without your contributions, we wouldn’t have the resources to challenge those in power.Your donation makes it possible for us to keep doing this important work, keeping you informed every step of the way to the November electionAndrew FeinbergWhite House CorrespondentWatch live as Nigel Farage addresses the Reform UK party conference in Birmingham on Friday, 20 September.The party secured five seats at this year’s general election and is expected to say it plans to win the next time the country goes to the polls.Deputy leader Richard Tice, chairman Zia Yousuf and MPs Lee Anderson, Rupert Lowe and James McMurdock are also set to speak.The two-day conference is set to be the largest the party has ever held, Reform UK said.The party now claims to have more than 70,000 members and has said this year’s ticket sales are more than four times 2023’s figures.Ahead of his speech, party leader Mr Farage has said he is “relinquishing” control of the party as he gives up his majority shareholder position.Reform UK Ltd is a registered company, unlike most other political parties, and was previously registered as the Brexit Party from 2018-2021.Companies House lists Mr Farage and Mr Tice as persons with significant control, with Mr Farage currently owning more than 50 per cent of shares. More

Your support helps us to tell the storyFind out moreCloseAs your White House correspondent, I ask the tough questions and seek the answers that matter.Your support enables me to be in the room, pressing for transparency and accountability. Without your contributions, we wouldn’t have the resources to challenge those in power.Your donation makes it possible for us to keep doing this important work, keeping you informed every step of the way to the November electionAndrew FeinbergWhite House CorrespondentThe Reform UK merchandise stand at their Birmingham conference is offering a wide range of items for sale – from ties signed by Richard Tice to caps emblazoned with “Let’s Save Britain”.The caps – that were manufactured in China – are on sale for £20.T-shirts, manufactured in Bangladesh and emblazoned with with the Reform UK logo, are on sale for £15, while beanie hats can be purchased for £20.The Reform UK merchandise stand at their Birmingham conference More

Your support helps us to tell the storyFind out moreCloseAs your White House correspondent, I ask the tough questions and seek the answers that matter.Your support enables me to be in the room, pressing for transparency and accountability. Without your contributions, we wouldn’t have the resources to challenge those in power.Your donation makes it possible for us to keep doing this important work, keeping you informed every step of the way to the November electionAndrew FeinbergWhite House CorrespondentReform voters are outliers who have “starkly” differently views about immigration than the rest of the population, according to new research.They are the only group where most of those surveyed feel no sympathy for people making the dangerous Channel crossing in small boats and who oppose resettlement schemes like Homes for Ukraine.And they are also the only group who feel migration is not talked about enough and should be the number one priority for the government, the Immigration Attitudes Tracker from British Future and pollster Ipsos shows. Sunder Katwala, director of British Future, said: “Reform UK and Nigel Farage provide a political voice for the section of the public with the toughest views on immigration – but to say they speak for the British public on the issue would simply be mistaken. Most people don’t share Nigel Farage’s views and don’t trust him when he talks about immigration.“Reform voters are outliers on immigration: they think differently to the majority of the public. Winning back their votes is a challenge for the Conservative Party, but a risk too.”Nigel Farage More

Your support helps us to tell the storyFind out moreCloseAs your White House correspondent, I ask the tough questions and seek the answers that matter.Your support enables me to be in the room, pressing for transparency and accountability. Without your contributions, we wouldn’t have the resources to challenge those in power.Your donation makes it possible for us to keep doing this important work, keeping you informed every step of the way to the November electionAndrew FeinbergWhite House CorrespondentRachel Reeves is under increasing pressure to scrap her plan to cut winter fuel payments for millions of pensioners after being handed a £10bn budget boost by the Bank of England (BoE).The chancellor has been urged to use the extra cash to row back on the plans, which will come as part of a series of possible spending cuts and tax rises planned by Ms Reeves for the October Budget.Ms Reeves was handed more room for manoevre as a result of a BoE decision to slow the pace of its quantitative tightening programme, which would reduce losses to the Treasury from bond sales.Chancellor Rachel Reeves hosted a reception in Number 11 Downing Street for female business leaders (Jonathan Brady/PA) More