Jenrick or Badenoch to be crowned Tory leader - but whoever wins contest faces daunting task

Jenrick: 3% defence spend needed by end of Parliament

Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick says Labour’s plan to boost defence spending isn’t believable unless action is taken now. He welcomed the government’s pledge to spend 2.5% of GDP on defence, but said it must reach 3% by the end of this Parliament, not in 2034. Jenrick criticised Chancellor Rachel Reeves, saying she has already broken key promises and questioned how the extra funding would be found. Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Holden backs Jenrick over London fare dodging video

Richard Holden has supported Robert Jenrick’s call for action on fare dodging in London. Jenrick shared a video confronting people jumping ticket barriers at a London Underground station. Holden criticised Mayor Sadiq Khan, saying he is more focused on “virtue signalling” than tackling crime and transport problems. Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Tories ‘delighted’ that ‘terrible’ Chagos deal challenged

Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick says he is “delighted” that the government’s deal to sign over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, which he describes as a “terrible deal” has been challenged in the High Court. Report by Blairm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Jenrick: Releasing prisoners early puts public at risk

Robert Jenrick says the justice secretary is "failing to protect the public" with the government's new early release scheme. The shadow justice secretary adds, "she chose to reduce the sentences of criminals who have reoffended or breached their licenses. They're putting the public at risk". Report by Brooksl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Tories insist ‘no pact’ with Reform UK

Shadow Financial Secretary to the Treasury Gareth Davies insists the Conservative Party “will not be entering into a pact” with Reform UK but will “win back the centre-right vote” at the next General Election. In an audio recording obtained by Sky News, Robert Jenrick can be heard saying that he wants the "fight" against Sir Keir Starmer's party to be "united". Report by Blairm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Kemi Badenoch reacts to winter fuel U-turn

Kemi Badenoch welcomed the winter fuel payment U-turn, insisting it should have happened sooner. Speaking on Monday, the Conservative party leader said: "I'm glad the government has finally done this but what took them so long? I asked Keir Starmer six times at the despatch box at PMQ's why he was doing this and that he needed to reverse it." Report by Kennedyl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Kemi Badenoch condemns rail nationalisation plans

Kemi Badenoch has criticised the nationalisaton of rail services by the government. The Conservative party leader said: "This is yet another example of the unseriousness of the Labour party who do not have a plan. We need to get Britain growing again, that means investing in business and not nationalising it." Report by Kennedyl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Badenoch: Chagos deal is an example of Labour chaos

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch claims the Chagos Islands deal was an example of "Labour chaos", saying, "we should not be paying to surrender British territory to Mauritius”. Report by Blairm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Tory leader brands PM’s reason for fuel U-turn a ‘joke’

Kemi Badenoch says it is a "joke" to say that Sir Keir Starmer's partial U-turn on winter fuel payments is a reaction to the economy improving. The Conservative leader also says she would like to see a change that means pensioners who earn “£11,000 to £15,000 a year getting winter fuel payments”. Report by Blairm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

UK-China embassy row sparks espionage fears

Both Labour and Conservatives have raised red flags over a proposed Chinese super-embassy in London. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said the US was right to be concerned, claiming Labour is “cosying up to China” at the cost of national security. Meanwhile, Technolgy Secretary Peter Kyle says the UK has longstanding, secure processes in place to monitor foreign diplomatic sites, adding the public should feel reassured. Report by Etemadil. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Philp: Reform offers ‘Truss on steroids’

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp says the Conservative Party has learned from past mistakes but warns that Reform UK's pledges are like “Truss on steroids,” with over £100bn in unfunded promises. Report by Etemadil. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Scottish Labour: People are sick of SNP and reject Reform

Scottish Labour Leader Anas Sarwar has hailed his party’s shock victory in the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-elections, saying the results sent a “clear message” from the Scottish people, who he says are “sick of the SNP” and “reject the poison of Farage”. Scottish Labour stunned the SNP to win the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election by just 602 votes, whilst Reform UK beat the Conservatives into third place, just 800 votes shy of the SNP in second. Report by Faragt. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Tories push for UK to leave ECHR to 'control borders'

The Conservatives are pushing for the UK to leave the ECHR, claiming it is limiting the government’s abilities to control borders. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp says the government should be able to do “what the public want”. Report by Faragt. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Scottish Labour's shock victory in Hamilton by-election

Scottish Labour stunned the SNP to win the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election by just 602 votes, whilst Reform UK beat the Conservatives into third place, just 800 votes shy of the SNP in second. Newly-elected Davy Russell celebrated the victory, claiming the SNP had "let down" the Scottish people and that the 'poison' of Reform was not welcome in Scotland. Report by Faragt. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn