Shadow Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds described a government minister's appearance on Question Time as "incredibly embarrassing" after he appeared to ask if Rwanda and Congo were different countries. When discussing the government policy of deporting asylum seekers to Rwanda, policing minister Chris Philp responded to an audience member’s question during the BBC One programme by asking: “Rwanda is a different country of Congo, isn’t it?”
Mr Reynolds said the Rwanda scheme has caused "significant damage to the reputation of the UK around the world." The government's Rwanda bill, which was passed in parliament last week, says any asylum seeker entering the UK "illegally" after 1 January 2022, from a safe country such as France, could be sent to Rwanda.
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Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said he doesn't agree with comments made by Tory defector Dan Poulter, arguing it was the 'common sense majority position' of the country to reform the welfare system. Report by Alibhaiz. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
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
Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride has said he is 'bemused' by Dan Poulter's comments that the Conservatives have become a 'nationalist party of the right'.
The former health minister and mental health doctor announced he would be defecting to Labour as he could no longer look his NHS colleagues, patients and constituents in the eye. Report by Alibhaiz. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
The shadow health secretary says Dan Poulter's defection to Labour "speaks volumes." Dr Dan Poulter, a former Conservative MP, announced he would be taking the Labour whip until the next election as the Conservative party no longer prioritised the NHS. Report by Kennedyl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Labour's Catherine McKinnell said Tory MP Natalie Elphicke's defection to Labour "sends a signal that the country is crying out for change." Ms Elphicke became the second Conservative to defect to Labour in two weeks, saying Rishi Sunak's "Conservatives have become a byword for incompetence and division". Report by Kennedyl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Labour's Jonathan Ashworth says Natalie Elphicke's defection to his party shows how tens of thousands of other Conservatives are doing the same, as they are fed up of 14 years of failed government. Report by Etemadil. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Nick Thomas-Symonds welcomes Natalie Elphicke to the Labour Party and says her and other recent Conservative Party defections show the government is "frankly disintegrating". Report by Blairm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
The Labour Party is in shock over the leadership's decision to welcome the defection of the right-wing former Conservative MP Natalie Elphicke. Sky News
The Labour leader has said Natalie Elphicke has made clear the Conservative Party are "out of road" and "incompetent", following her defection to Labour. Sir Keir Starmer added, "I don't think she's alone", and believes there are "many Conservative supporters and voters" who feel Labour is the "only party that can take our country forward". Report by Brooksl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Rishi Sunak warned the UK faces the "most dangerous time for generations" as he delivered his pre-election pitch to voters on Monday. Mr Sunak set out his vision for the next government, addressing issues including the Rwanda scheme, the environment, the education system and the economy.
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Mental health minister Maria Caulfield said the government are making maternity care a priority after a parliamentary inquiry into birth trauma found "poor care is all frequently tolerated as normal, and women are treated as an inconvenience". "We're putting in resources now and we've already got some of those resources up and running. For example, the perinatal pelvic health services - half of England already have those services and the other half will have it by the end of the year," she said. Report by Kennedyl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
England boss Gareth Southgate insists his focus remains on this summer's Euro championships amid speculation he will be the next Manchester United manager. The 53-year-old will lead England at Euro 2024 in Germany in what could be his fourth and final tournament in charge of the national team. "I've got one thing to focus on and that's having as successful a tournament with England as possible and everything outside of that is a complete irrelevance to me," he said. Report by Kennedyl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn