Politics

Northern Ireland’s first minister Michelle O’Neill has apologised after two Sinn Fein officials provided the British Heart Foundation (BHF) with references for a former employee who was under investigation for child sex offences. Ms O’Neill, the party’s vice president, reiterated her “anger and disgust” that the press officers provided the employment references for 42-year-old Michael

The man who called in police over the SNP’s finances has told Sky News “delays” in the long-running fraud investigation threatens the future of the Scottish independence movement.  Campaigner Sean Clerkin triggered the probe more than three years ago after phoning detectives with concerns about more than £600,000 that had been fundraised for a second

Sir Keir Starmer has said senior ministers do not need to hand back freebies and gifts like he has – as Diane Abbott said donors do not donate to politicians “out of altruism”. After weeks of criticism over Sir Keir and his top team taking freebies since coming into office, on Wednesday the prime minister

The government has pledged nearly £22bn to fund projects that capture greenhouse gases from polluting plants and store them underground, as it races to reach strict climate targets. The plans are designed to generate private investment and jobs in Merseyside and Teesside, two industry-heavy areas that will be home to the new “carbon capture clusters”.

Sir Keir Starmer should hold a COBRA-style meeting with his cabinet ministers to decide new rules on donations, a former Labour minister has said. Baroness Harriet Harman, a host of Sky News’ Electoral Dysfunction podcast, said there needs to be “new rules and processes in place” following the row over the prime minister and his

The BBC has cancelled an interview with Boris Johnson after Laura Kuenssberg accidentally sent the former prime minister her briefing notes. Kuenssberg, who presents the broadcaster’s Sunday politics show, said “there’s no point pretending it’s anything other than embarrassing and disappointing”. Revealing the error on X, she said she had been preparing to interview Mr

Sir Keir Starmer has paid back more than £6,000 worth of gifts and hospitality received since taking office, Downing Street has said. The prime minister is covering the cost of six Taylor Swift tickets, four to the races and a clothing rental agreement with a high-end designer favoured by his wife, Lady Victoria Starmer. Follow

Conservative leadership hopeful Tom Tugendhat has said it is “upsetting” his rival Robert Jenrick used footage of a soldier he served with in Afghanistan, who died soon after, in a campaign video. Mr Jenrick released a video on Monday arguing the UK needs to leave the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) because, among other

Sir Keir Starmer will travel to Brussels on Wednesday to hold talks with EU leaders about “putting the Brexit years behind us” and bolstering ties with the UK. The prime minister has vowed to “reset” relations with Europe following tensions between the previous Tory government and the EU – though he has ruled out a

Robert Jenrick is within touching distance of Kemi Badenoch after a surge in his support, according to an exclusive Sky News poll of Tory members. The latest YouGov survey of Conservative members for Sky News suggests there is a path to victory for all four candidates, although Tom Tugendhat faces a bigger hurdle than the

Politicians, we know only too well, are fond of repetition. With Sir Keir Starmer it’s: “My father was a toolmaker.” With Sadiq Khan it’s: “Did I ever tell you my dad was a bus driver?” With Tom Tugendhat it’s: “I was a soldier. I served my country.” No, really, Tom? Politics Live: Badenoch praises Israel

Kemi Badenoch has said her remarks about maternity pay have been “misrepresented”, as she called for an “honest campaign” for the Tory leadership. The first day of the Conservative Party conference saw a row erupt over comments made by the shadow housing secretary, where she appeared to call the current level of the benefit “excessive”.

Four contenders and the biggest platform of the year to make their case to be leader of the opposition. Welcome to the Conservatives’ annual conference in Birmingham – a four day job interview in the glare of the spotlight, with the axe falling on two of the four candidates in just 10 days when MPs

Former Labour MP Rosie Duffield has said she never thought she would leave the party “in a million years” and suggested the prime minister has a “problem with women” after her resignation. The Canterbury MP, who submitted a scathing resignation letter to Sir Keir Starmer on Saturday, told the BBC she is “desperately sorry” to

Applications for pension credit hit nearly 75,000 in the eight weeks since the new chancellor announced the winter fuel payment for pensioners would be means-tested for the first time. Figures released on Friday by the Department for Work and Pensions figures showed there were around 74,400 pension credit claims in the eight weeks since 29

Britain’s prime minister did not meet his Israeli counterpart on the sidelines of a gathering of world leaders in New York, despite hopes on the British side of talks, Sky News understands. A source with knowledge of the trip said that the “diaries” of Sir Keir Starmer and Benjamin Netanyahu did not align. In addition,

Russell Findlay’s first task as the new leader of the Scottish Conservatives will be to bring his party back together. It’s been a bruising few months for Tories north of the border. Former leader Douglas Ross left amid a row over candidate selections – and ultimately failed to take any Commons seats. Politics latest: SNP

The race to succeed Rishi Sunak as Tory leader could be won and lost in Birmingham over the next few days. The “beauty contest” involving the remaining candidates at the party conference has the potential to transform one of the not-so-famous four from also-ran to front-runner. Robert Jenrick, ahead among Conservative MPs, has the early

Russell Findlay has been elected the new leader of the Scottish Conservatives. The MSP saw off competition from Murdo Fraser and Meghan Gallacher in the bruising battle to replace Douglas Ross. Mr Findlay won with 2,565 votes. Mr Murdo placed second with 1,187 votes, while Ms Gallacher claimed third with 403 votes. The announcement comes

Downing Street has said Sir Keir Starmer did not break any rules when he used Lord Alli’s London penthouse to record a COVID-era broadcast urging people to “work from home”. The prime minister revealed on Wednesday he used the millionaire Labour peer’s home, estimated to be worth £18m, for his son to study for his