Crisis deepens as deputy PM refuses to say whether Lee Anderson is 'racist' - as under fire MP tweets 'Dog House' beer photos

Labour wins Blackpool South by-election

Labour has won the Blackpool South parliamentary by-election, with Chris Webb securing 10,825 votes, a majority of 7,607. The contest was triggered by the resignation of former Tory MP Scott Benton following a lobbying scandal. The Tories avoided the humiliation of coming third in Blackpool South, but finished just 117 votes ahead of Reform UK. Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Starmer welcomes Poulter to Labour after defection over NHS

Labour leader Keir Starmer has welcomed Dan Poulter to his party, saying his defection speaks for many Tory voters. Mr Poulter, who is also a doctor, said he is unable to provide NHS patients with quality treatment due to the Tory's mismanagement of the health service. Report by Alibhaiz. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Khan and Starmer visit polling stations at elections begin

London Mayor Sadiq Khan was seen petting his family dog after making a visit to a local polling station as local and mayoral elections begin across England. Report by Ajagbef. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Khan denies he'll introduce 'pay per mile' if re-elected

London Mayor Sadiq Khan has denied he will introduce 'pay per mile' road charging in the capital were he to be elected for a third term. Instead, he said he wants to continue to improve public transport in the capital - starting with ensuring all buses across the network were zero emission. Report by Alibhaiz. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Susan Hall explains low-key London election campaign launch

Conservative London mayoral candidate, Susan Hall, launched her election campaign on Sunday in Uxbridge, with a focus on ULEZ, crime and housing. The Member of the London Assembly, who is Sadiq Khan’s main challenger in the upcoming election, explained her low-key launch. Report by Jonesia. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Sadiq Khan launches re-election campaign

Sadiq Khan has launched his re-election campaign for a third term as Mayor of London. Mr Khan promised to address the housing crisis in the capital, vowing to double his council homes target to 40,000. "What we've achieved is rowing against the winds of this government, imagine what we could do with a Labourn government behind us," Mr Khan said. Report by Kennedyl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

London Mayor wades in on Tory donor race row

The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has condemned the racist remarks allegedly made by a top Tory donor. According to the Guardian, Frank Hester, who has given £10m to the Tories in the past year, made racist comments about leftwing MP Diane Abbott at a meeting in 2019, including that she made him "want to hate all black women". Mr Khan said the comments were "clearly racist and despicable." There has been increasing pressure on the Conservatives to return the money donated by Mr Hester. "There should be no place in British political life for these sorts of comments," Mr Khan added. Report by Kennedyl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn