Former PM’s allies say he will easily make threshold of 100 MPs, while critics warn of potential defections Tory leadership contest – latest updates Boris Johnson is gaining ground in his audacious bid to return to Downing Street despite critics warning he risks plunging the Conservatives into fresh chaos over the impending parliamentary inquiry into the Partygate scandal. As the former prime minister raced back from his Caribbean holiday to drum up support among MPs,

Companies including EDF, Centrica and Octopus express ‘alarm’ over bill allowing ministers to overrule Ofgem The UK’s big energy suppliers haveurged the government to reverse part of its energy prices bill, saying it grants “extensive” new powers to ministers and puts billions of pounds worth of investment in jeopardy. The bill, which is making its way through parliament, was introduced as part of efforts to reduce household costs and address the broader energy crisis. Continue

On Thursday cable connecting islands to mainland Scotland was affected leaving residents cut off Telephone and internet services have been restored to Shetland after two subsea cables were damaged, leaving the islands nearly cut off from the outside world. Police Scotland declared a major incident on Thursday after the cable connecting Shetland to mainland Scotland was affected early that morning, leaving many islanders without mobile services, internet and in some cases landlines. Continue reading… ​On

Cybersecurity specialists raise concern over potential for claims about integrity of leadership ballot Hackers from rogue states could attempt to discredit the Conservative leadership contest with spurious claims about the integrity of an online members’ vote, experts have said. If there are two candidates remaining in the race after Monday, Tory party members will take part in an online vote to decide the new prime minister. Continue reading… ​Cybersecurity specialists raise concern over potential for

Jason Stein suspended after media given anonymous quotes, including insult to ex-chancellor Sajid Javid Tory leadership contest – latest updates Jason Stein, a key adviser to Liz Truss who was suspended over allegations that he was behind negative and abusive briefings about other Conservative MPs, has been reinstated following an investigation that took slightly over 48 hours, Downing Street has said. The suspension took place on Wednesday following anonymous quotes from No 10 sources provided

Leader of House of Commons and former defence secretary announces candidacy The leader of the House of Commons, Penny Mordaunt, has become the first person to announce her candidacy for the Conservative party leadership – her second such bid this year. Mordaunt, a former defence secretary, was ousted from the year’s first Tory leadership contest in the fifth round, losing out to Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss. Continue reading… ​Leader of House of Commons and