Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch has spoken out about the Tory donor racism row, describing the media's "relentless focus" on the controversy as "trivial." Frank Hester, one of the Conservative Party's top donors, allegedly said left-wing MP Diane Abbott "should be shot" at a private meeting in 2019.
"I think this belief that we should not be able to move on and accept when someone has made an apology for historical comments and treat them as if they are contemporary is a problem," she added.
Report by Kennedyl.
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Kemi Badenoch has accused defectors to Reform UK of acting ālike they do in banana republicsā. Hitting back at Sir Jake Berry, she said some politicians ājust want to play the gameā and chase polls. Speaking at the Centre for Social Justice, the Tory leader said only parties with āserious, credibleā plans would win public trust at the next election. Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Sir Keir Starmer declines to rule out a wealth tax after Kemi Badenoch accuses him of āflirtingā with the idea. The prime minister avoids a direct answer, instead defending Labourās economic record and criticising past Tory policies. Badenoch warns such a tax would hit savings, pensions and homes, calling it a ātax on aspirationā. Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer confirms he stands by Labourās manifesto pledge not to raise income tax, national insurance or VAT. Asked by Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch in Parliament if the promise still holds, Starmer simply replies: āYes.ā Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Tory former Cabinet minister Lord Norman Tebbit, who has died aged 94, was an āicon in British politicsā, Kemi Badenoch said. The Conservative grandee was one of Margaret Thatcherās closest political allies and played a key role in Tory politics for a generation. Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Sir Ed Davey says he has written to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer setting out five principles for the reform of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). The Liberal Democrat leader says the Conservatives left the SEND system as a ātotal disasterā, and that parents āhave no clarityā over the current governmentās proposed reforms. Report by Jonesia. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
The Conservativesā Chris Philp says he has āno faith whatsoeverā in the governmentās āone in, one outā illegal migrant deal with France, describing it as a āgimmickā. The shadow home secretary adds the agreement āwonāt be a deterrent at all.ā Report by Jonesia. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Aviation expert Terry Tozer comments on preliminary findings into the Air India crash in which investigators say the fuel supply was manually cut off.
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Around 70 firefighters have been called to a grass fire on Wanstead Flats in east London. The London Fire Brigade (LFB) has issued warnings over the risk of wildfires and tragedies in water amid the hot weather. The risk of wildfires in London is currently rated at āsevereā by the Natural Hazards Partnership. Report by Jonesia. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey says a āreturns agreement is whatās neededā to deal with small-boat Channel crossings, but that ānot enough people will be sent backā under the deal agreed between the UK and France. Report by Jonesia. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn