Politics

Professor Alexis Jay has criticised the “weaponisation” of child sexual abuse by the Conservatives and accused the previous government of an “awful” response to the scandal. The former chair of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse said she did not want to give Tory MPs “oxygen” after they called for a new national inquiry

It was a small signifier – one which could be over-interpreted – but nevertheless provoked angst among some in government at a time when there isn’t universally huge confidence that UK-US political relations are as robust as they should be. On Sunday, the British Embassy in Washington had a bash for members of the incoming

Leading MPs have questioned whether the new Office for Value for Money will actually save the taxpayer any money. In the October budget, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced the new department to help the government “realise the benefits from every pound of public spending”. However, a report published by the cross-party Treasury Select Committee has heavily

There’s a deep, transatlantic contrast between the bombastic billionaire Donald Trump and the bespectacled human rights lawyer Sir Keir Starmer, on a political and a personal level. Despite the so-called “special relationship” it’s clearly going to be an uphill battle for the British PM to forge a productive relationship with the incoming president, but he

There are currently “no plans” for the UK to follow in America’s footsteps and ban TikTok, a cabinet minister said. Darren Jones said cats and dancing videos do not “seem like a national security threat”, but suggested the position could change if an issue emerges which the government is “concerned about”. The Chinese-opened app was

Poland’s prime minister has said he hopes for the “Breturn” of the UK as a member of the European Union – as he discussed a defence treaty with Sir Keir Starmer. Donald Tusk, who was hosting the prime minister for discussions on a UK-Polish defence pact in Warsaw, said it was his “dream” that “instead

When Nigel Farage’s Reform UK is just one point behind you in the opinion polls, the last thing you want to be reminded about is Brexit. If you’re Sir Keir Starmer, that is. No doubt Poland’s prime minister, Donald Tusk, was trying to be friendly. After all, as Sir Keir said, they share a passion

No phones or other devices, strict reporting rules, bombed-out buildings, and a drone threat – Beth Rigby shares what it’s like to join the prime minister Sir Keir Starmer in Ukraine. Sky News’s political editor said “the whole experience was absolutely fascinating” on the Electoral Dysfunction podcast, but added the nature of Sir Keir‘s visit

Lisa Nandy has said she “utterly refutes” claims Elon Musk’s intervention on UK grooming gangs prompted action from the government. The culture secretary told Sky News: “We’re not a government that conducts government by social media.” Tech billionaire and Trump ally Mr Musk spent the first fortnight of 2025 accusing the government of failing to

Kemi Badenoch has said the Conservatives will consider means-testing the pensions triple lock. The Tory leader said her party would “look at means-testing” the system which guarantees that the state pension rises in line with average earnings, inflation or 2.5% – whichever is highest. The Conservatives have long championed the triple lock – introduced by

Keir Starmer’s visit to the presidential palace in Kyiv was met with a message from Russia when a drone was blasted out of the sky above. The prime minister was meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to discuss the next steps for Ukraine, on Sir Keir’s first visit to Kyiv since his election victory last July.

Sir Keir Starmer has said he will “look at every conceivable way” to stop former Troubles internees claiming compensation after a report warned ex-Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams is in line for “a payday from the taxpayer”. Currently, the law under the Legacy Act blocks Mr Adams and others interned without trial in the 1970s

MPs are calling for the government to intervene in the upheaval currently gripping English rugby. England’s Rugby Football Union (RFU) is currently subject to widespread dissatisfaction within the grassroots and parts of the professional game. A slew of factors, including increased executive pay, record financial losses, a struggling grassroots game and poor results from the

Anti-corruption minister Tulip Siddiq has been named by investigators in Bangladesh who allege she was involved in the illegal allocation of land to members of her family while serving as an MP. Sky News has obtained an affidavit – or legal written statement – filed by the anti-corruption commission in Bangladesh that accuses Ms Siddiq

Tulip Siddiq has resigned as a Treasury minister after controversy over links to her aunt’s ousted political movement in Bangladesh. In a letter to Sir Keir Starmer, the Hampstead and Highgate MP said while she had “not breached the ministerial code”, continuing in her post would be “a distraction from the work of the government”.

MPs will today debate a change in the law proposed by a bereaved mother who believes social media may hold crucial clues to her son’s death. Jools Sweeney was 14 when he was found unconscious at home in April 2022. His parents and friends who saw him earlier that day say there were no signs

There comes a point in the arc of most political scandals after which a resignation risks prompting more questions than it answers. The danger for Tulip Siddiq – and by extension Sir Keir Starmer – is that threshold may about to be passed, if it hasn’t been already. In other words, if she goes now,

Anti-corruption minister Tulip Siddiq could lose her job if the investigation into her properties finds she broke government rules, a cabinet member has suggested. Science Secretary Peter Kyle was asked about Ms Siddiq on Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips. She has referred herself to the prime minister’s independent adviser on ministers’ interests, Sir Laurie Magnus,

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has called on Sir Keir Starmer to sack Treasury minister Tulip Siddiq over allegations she lived in properties linked to allies of her aunt, Sheikh Hasina, the deposed prime minister of Bangladesh. It comes after the current Bangladeshi leader, Muhammad Yunus, said London properties used by Ms Siddiq should be

Nigel Farage has said 10 Reform councillors who quit in protest over his “autocratic” leadership were put forward by a “rogue branch” of the party. The Derbyshire group made the announcement after billionaire X owner Elon Musk said Mr Farage “doesn’t have what it takes” to lead the party. The Clacton MP told Sky News