Politics UK

Farage is expected to formally commit to the lock as a key element of Reform UK's manifesto Farage had previously questioned the lock while Reform's 'Shadow Chancellor' Robert Jenrick supported it Story: thetimes.com/article/eb501b…

🚨 NEW: Nigel Farage is set to announce Reform UK will keep the state pension triple lock [@thetimes]

A Reform UK spokesperson said: "Homes must, of course, be built safely. However, overly burdensome building safety regulations can stifle housebuilding, meaning targets are missed, and the waiting list for homes grows longer at a time when we need more. "Simon’s comments on Grenfell reflected his broader point that the regulatory pendulum has swung too far in response to the tragedy. As he explained, there is a fine balance between over-regulation – which can slow the delivery of new homes – and ensuring that more homes are built safely without too much red tape"

Dudley: "Grenfell was a reaction to a tragedy. But the impact that it has had is to stop housebuilding of any tall buildings, generally in London and the whole of the country" Labour said: "If Nigel Farage has an ounce of decency, he will sack his housing chief immediately. These disgraceful comments about those who died in the Grenfell Tower fire are beyond the pale and it is completely untenable for Simon Dudley to continue in his position" Story: inews.co.uk/news/grenfell-…

🚨 NEW: Reform UK's housing chief Simon Dudley says post-Grenfell safety regulations have gone too far "Everyone dies in the end. It’s just how you go, right? You can’t stop tragic things from happening. Fires do happen" [@theipaper]

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: "Passengers should not be left guessing when their bus will turn up, no matter where they live. Working with Google, we’re bringing real time bus tracking to more parts of England for the first time. Passengers will know exactly where their bus is and when it will arrive, so they can leave home at the right moment rather than standing at a stop and hoping"

🚨 NEW: The Government says bus passengers in all of England will be able to start tracking their bus in real time through Google Maps from tomorrow

🚨 NEW: Scott Mills has released a statement addressing his 2016 sexual offences investigation “The recent announcement that I am no longer contracted to the BBC has led to the publication of rumour and speculation. “In response to this the Metropolitan Police has made a statement, which I confirm relates to me. “An allegation was made against me in 2016 of a historic sexual offence which was the subject of a police investigation in which I fully cooperated and responded to in 2018. “As the police have stated, a file of evidence was submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service, which determined that the evidential threshold had not been met to bring charges. “Since the investigation related to an allegation that dates back nearly 30 years and the police investigation was closed 7 years ago, I hope that the public and the media will understand and respect my wish not to make any further public comment on this matter. “I wish to thank from the bottom of my heart all those who have reached out to me with kindness, my former colleagues, and my beloved listeners, who I greatly miss”

Story: telegraph.co.uk/world-news/202…

🚨 NEW: Donald Trump suggests the King would have stood by him on the Iran war "He would have taken a very different stand [to Keir Starmer] but he doesn’t do that"

🚨 NEW: Sadiq Khan has criticised Wireless Festival for booking Kanye West to headline "The past comments and actions of this artist are offensive and wrong, and are simply not reflective of London’s values"

🚨 WATCH: Keir Starmer says he can't reduce the price of Mini Eggs

A BBC spokesperson said: "Scott Mills had a long career across the BBC, he was hugely popular and we know the news this week has come as a shock and surprise to many. "We also recognise there's been much speculation in the media and online since Monday. We hope people understand that there is a limit to what we can say because we have to be mindful of the rights of those involved. "What we can confirm is that in recent weeks, we obtained new information relating to Scott and we spoke directly with him. As a result, the BBC acted decisively in line with our culture and values and terminated his contracts on Friday 27 March. "Separately, we can confirm the BBC was made aware in 2017 of the existence of an ongoing police investigation, which was subsequently closed in 2019 with no arrest or charge being made. We are doing more work to understand the detail of what was known by the BBC at this time"

🚨 BREAKING: The BBC has admitted it knew in 2017 about the Scott Mills sexual offences investigation involving a boy under 16

🚨 NEW: The Met Police have arrested two more British nationals and one dual British-Pakistani national, aged 20, 19 and 17, for the arson attack on the Jewish community ambulances

🚨 WATCH: Keir Starmer's full address to the nation "It is now clear the impact of this war will affect the future of our country. So today I want to reassure the British people: no matter how fierce this storm, we are well placed to weather it"

🚨 BREAKING: Keir Starmer says he will form a new partnership with the EU in the coming weeks "As the world continues down this volatile path, our long-term national interest requires closer partnership with our allies in Europe and with the European Union"

Asked if the Keir Starmer should spend more on defence, Trump said: "I’m not going to tell him what to do. He can do whatever he wants. It doesn’t matter" "You don’t even have a navy" Story: telegraph.co.uk/world-news/202…

🚨 NEW: Donald Trump says the UK "doesn't even have" a Navy "You’re too old and had aircraft carriers that didn’t work... All Starmer wants is costly windmills that are driving your energy prices through the roof"

🚨 BREAKING: Keir Starmer will address the nation this morning