PM defends handling of Wragg case - after MP embroiled in sexting scandal quits Tories

Rich List 2024: King Charles and Sunak see their wealth rise

The personal fortunes of the prime minister and the King have risen in the last 12 months, according to the Sunday Times Rich List 2024. Rishi Sunak and wife Akshata Murty’s wealth surged from £529m last year to £651m this year. Meanwhile, King Charles’ wealth also grew, rising from £600m last year to £610m this year. This year’s list was again topped by Gopi Hinduja and his family, who control the Hinduja Group, and saw their wealth rise from £35bn to £37.2bn. Report by Jonesia. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Police investigate after explicit photos sent to MPs

The Metropolitan Police are assessing reports of a parliamentary honeytrap sexting scam. Conservative MP William Wragg has revealed he was blackmailed into sharing his colleagues’ phone numbers after sharing intimate images of himself. Mr Wragg said on Thursday he was “manipulated" into giving personal phone numbers to a man he met on a dating app. Scotland Yard confirmed it was in contact with Leicestershire Police and Parliamentary Security amid concerns other MPs and their staff could be victims of blackmail. Report by Jonesia. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Ellie Reeves: William Wragg texting scam ‘concerning’

Labour’s deputy national campaign co-ordinator, Ellie Reeves, has described reports of explicit images and flirtatious messages being sent to MPs as part of an alleged sexting scam as “really concerning”. Conservative MP William Wragg said on Thursday he was “manipulated” into giving personal phone numbers of colleagues to a man he met on a gay dating app, after he had sent intimate pictures of himself. Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Govt: Wragg texting scam is ‘incredibly troubling’

Reports of explicit images and flirtatious messages being sent to MPs as part of an alleged sexting scam are “incredibly troubling”, Treasury minister Gareth Davies said. Conservative MP William Wragg said on Thursday he was “manipulated” into giving personal phone numbers of colleagues to a man he met on a gay dating app, after he had sent intimate pictures of himself. Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Mr Sunak, 'are you part of the deep state?'

William Wragg, chair of the public administration and constitutional reform committee, asked the prime minister if he is “part of the deep state,” referring to comments made by Liz Truss who claimed her mission to cut taxes were “sabotaged” by the “deep state.” Mr Sunak wryly responded: “I probably wouldn't tell you if I was, Will, would I?” Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Government unconvinced by Starmer’s ‘16th relaunch’

Conservative Party chairman Richard Holden downplayed Labour’s key election campaign as being “Keir Starmer’s sixteenth relaunch in a few months.” Responding to Sir Keir Starmer’s speech, in which the Labour leader unveiled a pledge card with six “first steps” his party would take if it were to win power, Holden described Starmer as a “serial promise-breaker who doesn’t have the courage or conviction to stick to a single pledge he has ever made.” Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn