Man arrested after fires at homes linked to PM Keir Starmer

Starmer defends 'island of strangers' remarks on immigration

Sir Keir Starmer has defended his comments about an "island of strangers" at PMQs. Plaid Cymru Westminster leader Liz Saville Roberts said the prime minister "once spoke of compassion and dignity for migrants, and for defending free movement" and asked the prime minister, "is there any belief he holds which survives a week in Downing Street?" to which he replied, "Yes, the belief that she talks rubbish". Report by Brooksl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Farage: Reform UK enjoyed PM's 'island of migrants' speech

Nigel Farage says Reform UK "very much enjoyed" Sir Keir Starmer's remarks on immigration and an 'island of migrants', which critics have likened to Enoch Powell's 'Rivers of Blood' speech in 1968. Reform's party leader urges the prime minister to declare the situation in the English Channel as a national security emergency. Starmer replies that the government's borders bill will allow law enforcement to take action "before crimes are committed", adding it is "extraordinary" that Farage "of all people, voted against it". Report by Brooksl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Eight Iranian men arrested in UK terror probes

Eight men, including seven Iranian nationals, have been arrested in two unconnected counter-terrorism operations, the Metropolitan Police has confirmed. Five were held over an alleged plot to attack a single premises, while three others were arrested under national security laws. Commander Dominic Murphy called the operations “significant” and said the arrests were made to “keep the public safe”. All suspects remain in custody. Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Southport report rejects 'two-tier policing' claims

There was no evidence of "two-tier policing" in the police's handling of riots that erupted after last year's Southport murders, a new report by MPs has found. The report by the Home Affairs Committee, published on Monday, examined the police response to disorder that broke out following the stabbings in July last year. Commenting on the findings, former Metropolitan Police chief Dal Babu said there are "some lessons for the police to learn particularly around how they deal with social media". Report by Kennedyl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Boy dies after getting into difficulty in lake in London

A teenager has died after he “got into difficulty” in a lake in south-east London, police said. Officers and paramedics were called to Beckenham Place Park in Lewisham shortly after 3pm on Friday. The Metropolitan Police said on Saturday that the search for the 15-year-old had been stopped after a boy was found on Friday night. Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Russell Brand Charged With Rape and Sexual Assault in U.K., Met Police Confirms | THR News Video

Russell Brand has been formally charged with rape and sexual assault. The U.K.'s Crown Prosecution Service said that it has authorized London's Metropolitan Police to charge a man, identified as 49-year-old Brand, following an investigation by detectives. London's Metropolitan Police said Brand has been charged with one count of rape, one count of indecent assault, one count of oral rape and two counts of sexual assault. He will appear in court on Friday, May 2nd.