Author: UK News

David Lammy dismisses past criticism of Donald Trump  Foreign secretary David Lammy has dismissed his past criticism of Donald Trump in his first interview since the Republican’s election victory. Mr Lammy previously described the president-elect as a “woman-hating, neo-Nazi-sympathising sociopath”. In his first interview since Trump’s victory, he appeared on BBC’s Newscast podcast to discuss the future of the UK’s relationship with the US. Lammy said he sees Trump as “someone that we can build a relationship with in our national interest”. The foreign secretary also praised Trump’s election campaign as “very well run”. https://www.independent.co.uk/tv/news/lammy-responds-trump-criticism-bbc-podcast-b2643591.html

Kemi Badenoch slashes two points off Labour’s lead in her first week as Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has cut into Keir Starmer’s poll lead in her first week as Conservative Party leader, closing the gap by two points. The Techne UK weekly tracker poll for The Independent has revealed in the week since she took over from Rishi Sunak, Ms Badenoch has increased the Conservative support by one point to 25 per cent while Labour has fallen a point to 29 per cent reducing the gap from six points to four. It comes in a difficult week for Sir Keir’s…

David Lammy breaks silence on past criticism calling Trump ‘neo-Nazi-sympathising sociopath’ for first time David Lammy has moved to dampen down speculation of a rift with Donald Trump after his comments branding the president-elect “a racist KKK and Nazi sympathiser” resurfaced. In an article in 2018 the now foreign secretary wrote about Mr Trump’s first official visit to the UK and described him as a “tyrant” and “a woman-hating, neo-Nazi-sympathising sociopath”. However, in his first interview since the president-elect’s victory he told the BBC Newcast podcast that Mr Trump’s campaign was “very well run”, adding: “I felt in my bones…

Royal news – live: Kate Middleton to make poignant return to duty as Prince William opens up on ‘brutal’ 2024 The Princess of Wales is continuing her steady return to royal duties as she prepares to appear at two remembrance events over the weekend. Kate, who announced she had finished cancer treatment in September, is to attend both the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph and the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall on Saturday. Meanwhile, the Queen’s attendance at Remembrance events will be subject to medical advice nearer the time, the Palace said. Camilla, 77, is unwell…

Prince William has opened up about the ‘brutal’ year he and his family have faced following his wife’s cancer diagnosis. William also discussed his father’s cancer diagnosis and expressed how proud he was of both of them for the way they handled their health issues. 

Prince William has opened up about the difficult year he and his family have faced following his wife’s cancer battle. Shortly before Kate’s cancer was announced, William’s father was also diagnosed with cancer. The prince has described the year as ‘brutal.’

The Bank of England has cut interest rates to 4.75%. It’s the second cut in the base rate this year – it came down from 5.25% to 5% in August. The Bank’s base rate heavily influences the cost of borrowing, including mortgages – a lower rate is supposed to encourage consumer spending. Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey says it is “likely that interest rates will continue to fall gradually from here” – but adds inflation needs to stay close to the 2% target.

Three people have been arrested in the death of former One Direction pop star Liam Payne. They have been arrested on drug charges and “the abandonment of a person followed by death”. Payne fell from a hotel balcony in Argentina last month, his body was recently flown home.

Most areas will have a dry but cloudy and cool day, with hill fog in places. It will be breezy in the west, with patchy drizzle most likely here too. Northern Scotland will see some sunshine. Local brighter breaks elsewhere.

The Independent says European leaders have urged Donald Trump to stand up to the “bully” Vladimir Putin.

The Guardian leads on Joe Biden’s speech in which he promised a peaceful transition of power.

The Church of England covered up the sexual abuse of at least 130 children and young men according to a review.

The Sun leads on Prince William’s comments that it has been “the hardest year of his life” after the health battles of his wife and father.

Prince William has opened up about his wife and father’s health issues while on his trip to South Africa, the Daily Express says.

The Daily Mirror leads with Prince William revealing he is “so proud” of the King and the Princess of Wales after their cancer diagnoses.

Much of Friday’s tabloid coverage regards recent comments made by Prince William – who spoke candidly about the difficult year his family have faced following his wife’s cancer diagnosis.

The broadsheets continue political coverage on their front pages with the latest analysis from the US election as well as some domestic political news creeping back onto the front splashes.

Met chief hits out at social media speculation around Chris Kaba shooting as 67 gang linked to 11 gun attacks The Metropolitan Police commissioner has hit out at “dangerous narratives” over the police shooting of Chris Kaba by a firearms officer who was cleared of murder, revealing that Kaba’s gang has been linked to 11 shootings in the past year. Sir Mark Rowley said online commentary, often largely focussed on Kaba’s ethnicity, risked undermining justice in the wake of the shooting as he urged commentators to be more aware of the weight of their words. “From the outset, over the…

Bank of England cuts interest rates to 4.75% – but mortgages still set to rise Interest rates have been cut for the second time this year, by a quarter of a percentage poi, but mortgage rates are still set to rise in a blow to homeowners. The Bank of England reduced the base rate from 5 per cent to 4.75 per cent on Thursday, following a 0.25 percentage-point cut in August, which was the first drop in four years. Governor Andrew Bailey said rates were likely to “continue to fall gradually from here”, but warned they could not be cut…

Royal news – live: William laments ‘brutal’ 2024 calling it hardest year of his life after King and Kate’s cancer battles Prince William has spoken candidly about the most difficult year of his life after his father and wife both went through their battles with cancer. Asked by reporters how his year has been ahead of the Earthshot prize in Cape Town, the Prince of Wales replied: “Honestly? “It’s been dreadful. It’s probably been the hardest year in my life.” William who took time off Royal duties as his wife went through preventative chemotherapy, added: “So, trying to get through…

Tax unhealthy foods to tackle obesity, say campaigners Health and children’s groups urge UK ministers to impose levies on products containing too much salt or sugar. Dozens of health and children’s groups have urged ministers to tackle obesity by imposing taxes on foods containing too much salt or sugar. New levies based on the sugar tax on soft drinks would make it easier for consumers to eat more healthily by forcing food manufacturers to reformulate their products, they claim. 74% think food firms are not honest about the health impact of their products. 61% worry about the amount of sugar…

28 fun things to do in London this weekend Now that Halloween and Bonfire Night are out of the way, surely we’re in socially acceptable territory to start celebrating Christmas? Well, Pret teased its Christmas menu this week, and other restaurants and lunch spots will be gearing up to do the same. So we’re here to let you know what we won’t judge you if you’ve already watched your first Christmas film of the year or (dare we say it) put your Christmas tree up. With that being said, we’ve got all sorts of plans for you to choose from…

M6 still closed after man in his 50s killed in lorry crash | UK News The M6 remains closed after a lorry driver was killed and others seriously injured when his truck crashed through the central reservation in Lancashire. A man in his 50s, the lorry driver, was pronounced dead at the scene and two other people – a driver in his 40s and another motorist in her 40s – suffered serious injuries. The HGV, which was travelling north, crashed into the opposite carriageway and hit several vehicles. The M6 remains closed for southbound traffic between Preston and Lancaster between J33…

Six millennials offer their best advice for anyone renting in their 20s Living in a rental is a rite of passage for many people in their 20s. It’s widely regarded as the step before the first rung of the property ladder. But the reality is that a considerable number of people are renting in the UK today – sometimes, for a lot longer than expected. According to data from the London Assembly, less than a third of those living in London aged between 20 and 39 own their homes, while the figure for the rest of England is 41%. We…

Single woman’s extremely mundane dating tip is revolutionary in 2024 Dating in London: there aren’t enough adjectives to convey the crushing hopelessness with which singles describe this gruelling experience. The endless ghosting after mediocre first dates, exhausting swiping on apps that promise love but are rarely ever fruitful, not to mention the utter audacity of some people… It’s dull, tiresome, and many in their 20s and 30s are simply done with it. Jess Hobbs is one of them, so she’s set out on a mission to meet someone IRL (that’s in real life, off social media). Jess started a TikTok…

Labour MP Chris Webb mugged by masked gang of phone snatchers | UK News A Labour MP has described being attacked by a masked gang who snatched his phone while he walked home from Parliament last night. Chris Webb, the 38-year-old MP for Blackpool South, said he was chatting to his wife during the walk back to his flat in the capital when he stopped off at a shop in Lambeth, south london, shortly before 10pm. Within seconds of leaving the store, he was ambushed ‘completely from behind’ by the balaclava-clad robbers who took his new iPhone. He locked the new Pro Max using his…

Farage claims he will ‘break down barriers’ between Labour and Trump | News Nigel Farage claims it is in the “national interest” for him to “help break down barriers” between the Labour government and Donald Trump’s new top team. Mr Farage, a close friend of President-elect Trump, said he has a role to play in smoothing over relations following previous comments made about the Republican by senior Labour figures. Speaking on GB News on Wednesday (6 November), Mr Farage said the UK government and the Republicans have “huge differences” that need to be resolved. The Reform MP said: “On areas…

Interest rates live updates: Bank of England overwhelmingly expected to slash rates UK borrowing costs are set to be cut for the second time this year, despite tax changes. Most economists think policymakers at the Bank of England will opt to reduce interest rates to 4.75 per cent today. Rates currently sit at 5 per cent after being cut by 0.25 percentage points in August, the first reduction since 2020. They were then kept the same in September. Since then, the latest official data showed UK Consumer Prices Index (CPI) inflation fell to 1.7 per cet in September, the lowest…