Scottish Labour calls for immediate ceasefire in Gaza

Scottish Labour has unanimously backed an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, with MSPs calling for "unequivocal" support and putting pressure on the rest of the party.

from Political News - International and UK Politics | Sky News https://ift.tt/Uq8CsAt

Trump supporters accuse Democrats of trying to 'BANKRUPT' him with latest 'witch hunt' in 'corrupt court'

Supporters of Donald Trump have accused Democrats of trying to "bankrupt" the former President after a New York court ordered him to pay $354.9million for overstating his net worth to lenders.

Reacting to the ruling by Justice Arthur Engoron, Trump's lawyer Alina Habba issued a statement describing it as “manifest injustice" and the "culmination of a multi-year, politically fuelled witch hunt" against him.

"This is not just about Donald Trump - if this decision stands, it will serve as a signal to every single American that New York is no longer open for business."

Former San Francisco prosecutor Kimberly Guilfoyle criticised the size of the penalty in a case where she claimed "there’s no victims and no one lost money".

"The only fraud here is inside the New York AG’s office and inside a corrupt court."

Justice Engoron, who decided the case without a jury, also banned Trump from serving as an officer or director of any New York corporation for three years.

Trump has also been banned from applying for loans from any financial institution in New York for three years.

It's a move which many believe puts his real estate empire at risk.

Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene called the ruling "outrageous!" and said: "These people belong in jail for the abuse of power they are wielding against President Trump and his family."

Meanwhile, former New York legislator Ben Geller, described the ruling as "disgusting" and said: "This will be thrown out in appeal."

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Trump’s adult sons, Don Jr. and Eric, were also defendants in the case. They were each ordered to pay $4million.

Don Jr reacted by saying: "We've reached the point where your political beliefs combined with what venue your case is heard are the primary determinants of the outcome; not the facts of the case!"

Eric and Don Jr.'s lawyer Clifford Robert called the decision a "gross injustice".

Although lawyers for the Trump organisation say he will appeal, Trump could be required to deposit his portion of the full judgment plus interest pending the outcome.

Republican Senator for Ohio J.D. Vance said: "American courts have become corrupt weapons of the Democratic Party.

"Yes, Trump will win on appeal. But a lot of money and time will be wasted in the meantime. This is disgraceful."

Estimates of Trump’s wealth differ; Forbes values his net worth at $2.6billion and in an April deposition, Trump stated he possessed about $400million in cash.

Meanwhile, New York Attorney General Letitia James who brought the case against Trump described the ruling as "a massive victory".

"We won our case against Donald Trump for engaging in years of incredible financial fraud to enrich himself.

"Trump, Donald Trump, Jr., Eric Trump, and his former executives must pay over $450million in disgorgement and interest."

from GB News https://ift.tt/n4L7PYe

Former US senior defence official says Biden 'thinking of 1930s Europe' after Navalny's death

A top former US diplomat in Russia has warned that President Biden is thinking of 1930s Europe following the death of opposition diplomat Alexei Navalny.

It comes as the President held a press conference where he said that there was "no doubt that the death of Nalvany was a consequence of something that Putin and his thugs did."

Now, former US Senior Defense Official and Attache to Russia Peter Zwack has spoken to GB News about President Biden's reaction to the news from Russia.

He said that there were multiple factors in the press conference but added that Navalny "did not have to die."

Speaking in reaction to today's speech, he told GB News: "President Biden, I think he's a historian. He's been around a long time. He worries that aspects of history, while they don't necessarily repeat themselves, they provide a guide post.

"I think he's thinking of feelings of the late 1930s in Europe. I think there's feelings of 1913 in Europe. There are feelings also of where did the bump, the positiveness come after the fall of the Berlin Wall and the end of the Cold War and the fall of the USSR.

"We have a lot going on. The fact is we have multiple issues going on regarding national security and our alliances in Russia. The death of Alexi Navaly did not have to happen.

"First of all, the fact that it happened in a Russian prison near the arctic where he was by all accounts, unjustly imprisoned is just confirms the nature of the Putin regime and what we are all dealing with as we see manifested in Ukraine."

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He added: "This is a key issue for President Biden in the United States and in the UK and the rest of Nato. Biden is pulling together threads that we're hearing from the Munich security conference that's going on."

When asked whether Biden's comments that Navalny's death was "Shocking but not surprising" would be shared with other world leaders, Zwack said: "I think realistically everybody thought Navalny's days were numbered. It was more an issue of how and when.

"They were never going to let him out as long as he could be an electoral threat.

"He was either going to rot away in prison or he was going to die. The question was was it natural causes up in the Arctic circle or was accelerated. Nobody knows but you know what, it doesn't matter."

He added: "The regime is still responsible. A prisoner in their custody who is of high interest died. And they never had a great justification for his initial imprisonment.

"He was destined to perish in prison as long as the Putin regime was in place. Maybe it should be seen as a wake up call. It's shaking countries."

from GB News https://ift.tt/i6dAVxI

Trump ordered to pay $354m and banned from running businesses for three years in New York fraud case

Donald Trump must pay $354.9 million in penalties for fraudulently overstating his net worth to dupe lenders.

A New York judge ruled on Friday handing the former US President the fine in another legal setback in a civil case that imperils his real estate empire.

Justice Arthur Engoron also banned Trump from serving as an officer or director of any New York corporation for three years.

The lawsuit brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James accused Trump and his family businesses of overstating his net worth by as much $3.6billion a year over a decade to fool bankers into giving him better loan terms.

Trump has denied wrongdoing and called the case a political vendetta by James, an elected Democrat. Trump is expected to appeal Friday's ruling by Engoron.

Engoron wrote: "Their complete lack of contrition and remorse borders on pathological...Instead, they adopt a 'See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil' posture that the evidence belies."

The civil fraud case could deal a major blow to Trump's real estate empire he leads the race for the Republican nomination to challenge President Joe Biden in the upcoming US election.

Engoron had previously ruled in September that Trump had engaged in fraud and ordered his business empire be partially dissolved. The ruling came after a contentious three-month trial in Manhattan.

During his testimony, Trump conceded that some of his property values were inaccurate but insisted banks were obligated to do their own due diligence.

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Trump, 77, is currently under indictment in four criminal cases, including one in New York related to hush money payments he made to a porn star ahead of the 2016 election.

The judge overseeing that case on Thursday set a March 25 trial date over the objections of Trump's lawyers, who sought to delay it due to Trump's crowded legal and political schedule.

Trump has also been charged in Florida for his handling of classified documents upon leaving office and in Washington and in Georgia for his efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss. He has pleaded not guilty in all four cases.

In the New York case, Trump and his adult sons, Don Jr. and Eric, were defendants in the case. Don Jr. and Eric Trump were each ordered by the judge to pay $4million.

Trump's lawyer Alina Habba said in a statement that the New York ruling was a "manifest injustice" and "culmination of a multi-year, politically fueled witch hunt" against him.

She said: "This is not just about Donald Trump - if this decision stands, it will serve as a signal to every single American that New York is no longer open for business."

from GB News https://ift.tt/C0Wp7fS

Sir Keir Starmer paid nearly £100,000 in tax last year, documents show

Sir Keir Starmer paid £99,431 in tax last year, according to a summary released by the Labour Party.

from Political News - International and UK Politics | Sky News https://ift.tt/WNul571

Melania Trump 'quiet' as she makes first public appearance since mother's death

Melania Trump seemed “quiet” as she made her first public appearance since her mother died last month.

She appeared at The Trumpettes, a ball held in Donald Trump’s honour at their Mar-a-Lago resort this weekend, with her husband by her side.

The pair dressed in matching black attire as they waved to crowds, before heading into the resort to celebrate.

One guest described Melina as being “quiet but in very good spirits”.

They continued: “What I noticed in particular was that although everyone was waiting for Trump to make his grand entrance, when he walked in and waved at everyone, he made sure to turn to her and acknowledge that she was there!

“After he made his way to the podium, she was there standing by the stage the whole time, smiling. She waved and said hello to everyone that was close enough to reach out to her. She was all smiles. There was a look of great sense of peace on her face,” gala guest Delia Hickman told the Daily Mail.

Last month, Melina’s mother Amalija Knavs passed away at the age of 78.

The former First Lady announced with “deep sadness” the death of her mother on social media, who she described as a “strong woman” who was “devoted” to her family.

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Melania had been absent from all of Trump's campaign appearances and his media interviews since he left office.

She has also not appeared at his various court appearances, including those related to his civil fraud trial in New York.

However, she did choose to appear as a guest speaker for a naturalisation ceremony in Washington DC last December, which many have found a peculiar choice.

She spoke about her challenges in becoming a US citizen.

The ceremony was at the National Archives, the US agency that her husband has been accused of withholding documents from.

Adding to the irony, Melania spoke of the significance of America’s “democratic process” without reference to her husband’s trial.

Last year, posters featuring Melania captioned “missing” were circulated in Iowa.

In December, Laurence Leamer, author of a book about Trump’s base in Mar-a-Lago said that the former First Lady is rarely seen outside the confines of the estate.

He said: “Nobody knows where she is. It’s like a mystery. It’s certainly talked about.”

Before she became first lady, Melania was frequently sighted by Mar-a-Lago members, however, according to Leamer, that is no longer the case.

“She rarely exits Mar-a-Lago. It’s a strange, isolated life they have in that place,” he told the The Daily Telegraph.

from GB News https://ift.tt/t5312Tx

Nato drops plans to appoint female leader over fears of Trump's 'misogyny'

Plans to have a woman leading Nato have been dropped following accusations of former President Donald Trump's misogyny.

There are fears that Trump will cause more damage to transatlantic relations if he returns to the White House.

Jens Stoltenberg, 64, who has had the job since 2014 is set to step down in the spring. His most likely successor is current caretaker Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte.

It is a blow for Estonian PM Kaja Kallas, who was expected to take up the reigns and had hoped to be the first woman and east European ally to hold the top job.

During his time as President from 2016 to 2020, Trump was criticised for a series of comments made about female world leaders at the time.

Trump described Theresa May, while she was Prime Minister and after he made a state visit to Britain, as "foolish" and a "disaster".

His relations with then German chancellor Angela Merkel were fraught with difficulties. In 2017, at Nato headquarters in Brussels, he told one Prime Minister that he could not "stand" Merkel because "that woman embodies everything that I hate."

One American diplomat told The Times: "Trump has a history with women that many see as misogynist. It might be best to avoid putting a woman into the role."

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Tensions have been rising between Trump and Nato after the 77-year-old former President suggested the US might not protect NATO allies who aren't spending enough on defense from a potential Russian invasion.

Trump, speaking during a political rally in South Carolina and appearing to recount a meeting with NATO leaders, quoted the president of "a big country" that he did not name as asking, "Well sir, if we don't pay, and we're attacked by Russia - will you protect us?"

"I said: 'You didn't pay? You're delinquent?' He said: 'Yes, let's say that happened.' No I would not protect you. In fact I would encourage them to do whatever the hell they want. You gotta pay."

More than two dozen women have accused Trump of sexual assault or harassment over the years, and Biden and other European leaders are unwilling to take risks.

The US and British had made attempts to persuade president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen to take up the role as Nato lead in order to "Trump-proof" as his election to a second term appears increasingly likely.

Meanwhile Rutte, 57, is expected to be chosen "probably in the first quarter of this calendar year."

His selection is pencilled in for April 4, meaning he will have to leave office as caretaker Dutch leader during protracted coalition talks to find his successor.

from GB News https://ift.tt/zA4Fc3R

Sir Keir Starmer urged to suspend Labour members who attended meeting at centre of antisemitism row

Sir Keir Starmer has been urged to suspend any Labour member who was present at a meeting of activists where antisemitic comments were allegedly made.

from Political News - International and UK Politics | Sky News https://ift.tt/BNIL2ZT

‘This is a DISGRACE!’ Property expert lashes out as Home Office ‘builds up stock of 16,000 houses’ for asylum seekers

Property expert Russell Quirk has lashed out at the Home Office after it was revealed they have built up a stock of 16,000 properties for asylum seekers.

Despite a shortage of homes for young workers and families, contractors working for the Home Office are offering landlords five-year guaranteed full rent deals to take over the management of properties in a desperate bid to transfer asylum seekers out of hotels.

The properties are being used to house more than 58,000 asylum seekers across England, Wales and Scotland, according to the Telegraph.

Speaking on GB News, Quirk blasted the Government, branding them “haphazard, wayward and incompetent” in a scathing rant.

“This is not just asylum seekers, this is often people coming over on dinghies with no ID”, he said.

“They are then given priority by these idiotic councils and this haphazard, wayward, incompetent Government over and above those paying into the tax system.

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“The average rent in the UK is about £1,000 a month. The calculations just for this particular initiatives mean we’re still paying half a million pounds per day to rent these homes.

“Rishi Sunak’s ridiculous prophecy that he would appeal to the masses by taking asylum seekers out of hotels, all he has done is taken rental houses away from those paying into the system.”

Quirk went on to say that some councils are buying homes, which is stiffening up the market even further for first-time buyers.

“Winchester, Preston, North Norfolk, North Yorkshire, Waltham Forest, Portsmouth, Basingstoke are actually buying homes specifically for the purpose of housing asylum seekers”, he said.

“This is taking stock away from first-time buyers and stock away from renters who have very little choice right now.

“This is a disgrace.”

A Home Office insider told The Telegraph: “The department’s strong preference is for dispersal accommodation because it is so much cheaper and much more discreet than hotels. That’s not to say it’s not unpopular.

“Some of the contractors are taking properties in pretty normal streets. You can buy yourself a £300,000 house and suddenly find your next-door neighbour is a house full of asylum seekers. MPs are starting to report problems as a result of this.

“It has also been very heavily clustered in places where property is cheap – Hull, Bradford and Teesside. It is potentially damaging to these places because it creates ghettos which are terrible for integration.”

A Home Office spokesman said: “We continue to work across Government and with local authorities to identify a range of accommodation options to reduce the unacceptable use of hotels which cost £8 million a day.

“The Government remains committed to engaging with local authorities and key stakeholders as part of this process.”

from GB News https://ift.tt/URyAfIZ

‘Raises questions’: Tom Harwood explains why Azhar Ali case may expose HUGE Labour flaws

GB News presenter Tom Harwood says the vetting process in place for Labour’s prospective candidates could be flawed.

It comes as controversy surrounds Azhar Ali, who was stood down as Labour candidate for the Rochdale by-election over comments he reportedly made about Israel and Jewish people.

The affair has left the party embroiled in yet another antisemitism row which has been compounded by a resurfaced image of Ali.

He was spotted shaking hands with George Galloway, who was expelled from Labour in 2003 after being found guilty of four charges of bringing the party into disrepute.

Speaking to GB News members, Harwood believes the whole affair has thrown Labour’s handling of how it selects its MPs into question.

“Had this tweet been uncovered by the Labour Party, which was made in 2015, there is no way this individual would have been selected”, he said.

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“It raises huge questions about the Labour Party vetting process and other candidates as well.

“There a very few people who would say he would get through even onto the shortlist if this photo came through before the selection.

“It raises big questions about what the selection process is like for so many different elements of Labour selections.”

Emily Carver waded in to add it would perhaps have been unfair to not allow Ali to run as a result of the photo, a “fair point”, according to Tom.

“You should be able to shake hands with whom you disagree”, he said.

Despite this, Tom believes Labour would undoubtedly still not have allowed Ali to run had the photo been spotted beforehand.

Keir Starmer said he took “tough” and “decisive” action to withdraw support for Labour’s Rochdale by-election candidate.

Ali had apologised after he was recorded in a meeting of the Lancashire Labour Party suggesting that Israel had taken the October 7 Hamas assault as a pretext to invade Gaza.

But Labour said it moved to end its backing of the candidate “following new information about further comments”.

Speaking as he campaigned in Wellingborough, Sir Keir Starmer said: “Certain information came to light over the weekend in relation to the candidate. There was a fulsome apology. Further information came to light yesterday calling for decisive action, so I took decisive action.

“It is a huge thing to withdraw support for a Labour candidate during the course of a by-election.

“It’s a tough decision, a necessary decision, but when I say the Labour Party has changed under my leadership I mean it.”

from GB News https://ift.tt/OpCkgI4

Has Starmer been 'decisive' over Rochdale? - and the battle for The Body Shop

Labour is no longer backing its candidate in the Rochdale by-election.

from Political News - International and UK Politics | Sky News https://ift.tt/CGef57r

‘APPALLING!’ Aaron Bastani demands Great British clean-up as litter-ridden high streets ‘let down’ small businesses

Aaron Bastani wants a radical clean-up on the streets of Britain, saying small businesses have suffered as a result of the scourge of litter and graffiti.

The Novara Media co-founder accused the Tories and Labour of failing to set out their stalls on the matter.

Speaking on GB News, he addressed a recent post he made to X about Waterlooville, in Hampshire.

He said “economic malaise” has made high streets “look like a zombie film” in many cases as politicians in London “live in a parallel universe”.

Bastani told Michelle Dewberry that it should be a key matter for politicians in the lead up to the general election.

“It’s appalling”, he said.

“High street businesses, particularly owned by families, have collapsed.

“They’ve been killed by the internet, by these giant out of town stores. Of course we like convenience but go to other countries.

“Go to Italy, Spain, Portugal, Germany, it’s not this bad.

“We really have let down small businesses in this country and on that particular point, I hear nothing from either the Tories or the Labour Party.”

Bastani said the housing crisis plays a role in Britain’s messy streets, with many more to an address than ever before.

“We have a house building mechanism with is turn a house into five or six bed sits.

“You can have a street of these where ten years ago, you’d have five of these on a street.

“You have five to six people living in one house. They can all be good as gold but one can be bad right now. Think of the fly-tipping, think of the rubbish outside ones not taking the bin in.

“That is the Government’s housing policy and it feeds into a general sense of decay and malaise.”

from GB News https://ift.tt/m1ogvjO

Rishi Sunak to take YOUR questions in hours as PM faces up to voters in GB News People's Forum - live updates

Rishi Sunak will field questions from the public this evening as the Prime Minister gears up to host the People's Forum, live on GB News from 8pm.

All eyes will be on the Prime Minister this evening in the first event of this year's General Election campaign.

The audience members and their questions have been selected by polling company Survation, so even GB News doesn't know whats coming.

Survation have selected an audience made up of undecided and swing voters - meaning the PM is braced for questions on a wide variety of topics.

Speaking ahead of the event, GB News’ Editorial Director Michael Booker said: “It’s time for the people of this country to have their say and the People’s Forum is the perfect place for that to happen.

"Politicians have been telling the Prime Minister what he should be doing for a long time – now it’s time for the people who really matter to put their questions to him. As an election looms, it’s going to be a fascinating night.”

People’s Forum presenter Stephen Dixon added: “This is exactly what GB News was created for - bringing those in power before the people of this great nation.

"The Prime Minister will come face to face with the voters who lent the Tories their support. Can he keep them?"

The event, held in County Durham, will kick off at 8pm.

With the Conservative Party sitting more than 20 points behind Labour in most polling, this evening's event is a key opportunity for Sunak to persuade voters that the Tories time in office is not yet over.

from GB News https://ift.tt/m4Jgzk6

By-election results will provide important clues ahead of next general election

Should the Conservatives lose their two parliamentary seats in Kingswood and Wellingborough, the party will exceed its record of by-election defeats in a single parliament.

from Political News - International and UK Politics | Sky News https://ift.tt/HZt6ljp

Labour's by-election candidate issues apology after claiming Israel 'allowed Hamas attacks'

A Labour candidate for an upcoming by-election has been forced to issue an apology after claiming Israel was “warned” about Hamas' October 7 attack 10 days before.

Azhar Ali, who is standing to succeed Sir Tony Lloyd as Rochdale MP after the 73-year-old’s death, responded by apologising “unreservedly”.

Hamas launched its attack on southern Israel on October 7 last year.

The barbaric onslaught resulted in 1,300 Israelis being killed and another 240 being kidnapped.

Israel has retailed by launching strikes on the Gaza Strip, resulting in around 30,000 deaths.

Ali, a Lancashire County Councillor, made the provocative claim during a meeting of the county’s Labour Party.

The Mail on Sunday reported Ali as saying: “The Egyptians are saying that they warned Israel 10 days earlier … Americans warned them a day before (that) there’s something happening.

“They deliberately took the security off, they allowed … that massacre that gives them the green light to do whatever they bloody want.”

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Ali has since apologised for the “offensive” and “false” comments.

He said: “I apologise unreservedly to the Jewish community for my comments which were deeply offensive, ignorant and false.

“Hamas’s horrific terror attack was the responsibility of Hamas alone, and they are still holding hostages who must be released.

“October 7 was the greatest loss of Jewish life in a single day since the Holocaust, and Jews in the UK and across the world are living in fear of rising antisemitism. I will urgently apologise to Jewish leaders for my inexcusable comments.

“The Labour Party has changed unrecognisably under Keir Starmer’s leadership, he has my full support in delivering the change Britain needs.”

Labour MP Pat McFadden, who serves as the party’s national campaign co-ordinator, today confirmed Ali remains on the ticket as voters head to the polls of February 29.

Pro-Palestine former MP George Galloway is standing in the contest.

He represented constituents in Bethnal Green & Bow and Bradford West as leader of Respect.

However, he finished in third with 21.9 per cent of the vote when he stood in Batley & Spen in 2021.

Galloway could look to benefit from discontent among Muslim voters with Starmer’s stance on Israel.

Around 20 per cent of the electorate and 30 per cent of the population of the Lancashire town are Asian.

Labour retained the safe seat in 2019 with a reduced majority of 9,668.

Reform UK is putting up former Rochdale MP Simon Danczuk as its candidate in the pro-Brexit seat.

from GB News https://ift.tt/0RW1Hu8

Number of Britons paying income tax has risen by 4.5 MILLION since 2010 as 'bruising' tax burden soars

The number of people paying income since has risen by 4.5 million since 2010, new research from the Taxpayers' Alliance has shown.

The number has surged from 31 million to 35.5 million, an increase of 4.5 million.

This comes despite former Prime Minister and current Foreign Secretary David Cameron claiming that lifting millions of people out of income tax was "one of the proudest things" he did while in Government.

The remarks were made after the then Coalition government lifted the personal allowance from £6,475 to £10,000.

Yet 1.7 million more people are paying the basic rate of income tax, with the total number increasing from 26.8 million to 28.5 million since 2010.

Since thresholds were frozen in 2021/22, an additional 1.1 million are paying the basic rate of income tax and an additional 1 million are paying the higher rate.

At the 2022 Autumn Statement, Jeremy Hunt announced that the freeze on income tax thresholds would continue until April 2028.

Since the freeze was imposed, the North East, Yorkshire and the Humber and Wales are set to be the UK regions with the largest percentage increases in the total number of people paying income tax and in the number of people paying the basic rate.

The largest percentage increases in the number of people paying the higher rate were Wales, the North East and Northern Ireland.

By contrast, London saw the smallest percentage increase of people paying income tax since 2021/22, both in terms of the basic rate, the higher rate and the additional rate.

Darwin Friend, research director of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: "Taxpayers in every corner of the United Kingdom are struggling with the bruising impact of tax rises and threshold freezes.

“The transformation of Britain into a high-tax, low-growth economy has hit almost every household, from Edinburgh to Eastleigh and Cardiff to Colchester.

“Ministers must use the budget to give taxpayers the income tax relief they desperately need.”

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A spokesperson for the Treasury said: “After borrowing £400 billion to protect lives and livelihoods throughout the pandemic and Putin’s energy shock, we had to take difficult decisions to help pay down the debt.

“However, with inflation more than halved and because of the progress we have made, we have cut taxes for hard-working people, saving the average employee £450 a year, and our tax burden remains lower than any major European economy.”

from GB News https://ift.tt/g1KZJi3

Nigel Farage: 'The Tories are desperate and calling me every day'

Nigel Farage has admitted that he receives “desperate” calls from Tory MPs several times a day.

The GB News presenter has hinted several times about his potential return to politics but has left pundits guessing as to which party he could run for.

Speaking at an event last week to mark the launch of the Popular Conservative movement, Farage appeared to pour cold water on the Tories.

He explained: “I suspect I would agree with a lot of what is said on the platform this morning, but none of it is going to be Conservative manifesto policy.

“And that's really the point here. Whilst there were some big names like Liz Truss, Jacob Rees-Mogg - I saw Priti Patel coming into the audience earlier - they are a very small minority within the parliamentary Conservative Party.”

However, hinting at further machinations, the honourary president of Reform UK admitted he receives calls from Tory MPs on a regular basis.

Receiving a message on his phone during an interview with the Times, Farage said: “There’s another one. They’re looking for something, they’re desperate.

“I’m Uncle Nige. They all want to know what I’m going to do.”

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However, on the question of whether the callers want to join Reform UK or are trying to lure Farage to the Conservative Party, the GB News presenter hinted: “It could be either way.”

Describing his return to the Tory Conference last autumn, Farage said he was greeted: “like the prodigal son returning.”

He continued: “A lot of people who are engaged in the Tory party now got engaged in politics through me, through Ukip.

“So many of them have become Tory councillors, the activist base has been redefined by the grassroots base Ukip developed and a lot of the 2019 Tory MP intake are basically Ukip, make no bones about it.”

However, during Farage’s appearance at the PopCon launch last week, he appeared to give a blunt assessment of whether he would join the Tory Party.

Farage said: “I'm not looking to join the Tory party, you must be joking.

“Not at the moment, given what they stand for.

“And, as far as this group's concerned, I'd rather be part of Reform because that's the real thing.”

He added that he was currently “very happy” with life away from the political frontline.

from GB News https://ift.tt/m2aUPW1

Labour candidate 'wrong' to say Israel allowed 7 October attack - but will still stand in by-election

Labour's by-election candidate in Rochdale was "completely wrong" to say Israel deliberately allowed the 7 October massacre to give it the "green light" to invade Gaza, the party's UK campaign coordinator has said.

from Political News - International and UK Politics | Sky News https://ift.tt/63no5fp