Politics

The prime minister rarely addresses the nation, but Russia’s decision to conduct a full scale invasion into Ukraine has made this a moment that will be marked in history – the start of the largest conflict in Europe since the Second World War. “Our worst fears have now come true and all the warnings have

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has made a statement to the nation after Russia’s attack on the Ukraine. Here it is in full: Shortly after 4 o’clock this morning I spoke to President Zelenskyy of Ukraine to offer the continued support of the UK, because our worst fears have now come true and all our warnings

Boris Johnson is like an “edgy, naughty boyfriend”, Labour’s deputy leader Angela Rayner has declared in an interview in which she admits Sir Keir Starmer is not as “racy” as the PM. She says Mr Johnson is like a “puppy” when he flirts and flatters her as she faces him at Prime Minister’s Questions. And

Home Secretary Priti Patel has received a demand to review the events around the resignation of Metropolitan Police commissioner Dame Cressida Dick. Scotland Yard’s deputy commissioner Sir Stephen House revealed he has written to Ms Patel about the controversial circumstances of his boss’s departure. He claimed that “due process” was not followed over Dame Cressida’s

President Biden, Prime Minister Johnson, President Macron, Chancellor Scholtz and the European Commission President von der Leyen: as the West woke up to Russian incursions into Ukraine, the co-ordinated response began with leaders announcing limited sanctions, with the promise of more. Their aim – outlined by leaders on podiums and in legislative chambers across Western

The UK is sanctioning five Russian banks and three oligarchs, freezing their UK assets and banning travel to Britain, Boris Johnson has announced. The prime minister told the House of Commons it was the “first tranche” and “first barrage” of measures, in response to Russian troops moving into two separatist regions of Ukraine. “We hold

It has dominated his premiership, put him into intensive care, provoked a bitter row and rebellion with his parliamentary party and could – depending on the result of the Met Police investigation – ultimately cost Boris Johnson his job. So you could imagine the prime minister’s sense of relief on Monday when he announced the

A cabinet meeting to sign off on Boris Johnson’s “living with COVID” strategy has been delayed due to a row over free testing. Number 10 has told Sky News that the gathering has been pushed back while the prime minister is briefed, with ministers convening later on Monday afternoon to agree the plan. Mr Johnson’s

Boris Johnson is expected to announce how England will “live with COVID” on Monday as he considers dropping all remaining restrictions, Downing Street said. The prime minister will meet his cabinet ministers on Monday morning to agree the plan for living with the virus after nearly three years of restrictions, according to Number 10. He

DUP politician Christopher Stalford has died suddenly at the age of 39, the party has said. The South Belfast Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA), a married father of four children aged below 10, died this weekend, DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said on Sunday. Mr Stalford was a rising star in Northern Ireland politics

The plan to end all legal COVID restrictions marks a key moment for everyone in England – but for Boris Johnson’s premiership too. It puts the country at the forefront of learning to live with the disease which has wrought havoc on the world for the past couple of years. Some say it is a

Boris Johnson has responded to a questionnaire from the Metropolitan Police about Downing Street gatherings during coronavirus restrictions. A Number 10 spokesperson confirmed to Sky News that the prime minister has returned the document. Downing Street has previously said Mr Johnson’s responses will not be made public. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible

An RAF aircraft flew hundreds of miles from a base in Scotland for a photoshoot with Boris Johnson before flying back. Images of the prime minister with two RAF aircraft featured on a number of newspaper front pages on Friday after his visit to RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire the previous day. An RAF P-8A Poseidon,

Labour’s deputy leader Angela Rayner has said she wants police to “shoot your terrorists and ask questions second”. Ms Rayner told Matt Forde’s Political Party podcast she was “quite hardline” on law and order and said she would encourage police to “antagonise” criminals. “On things like law and order, I am quite hardline. I am

Campaigners found to have been harmed by medical products have written to the health secretary warning that government inaction is “causing pain and destroying lives” by ignoring review recommendations. Some 18 months ago, an independent review recommended financial help for people damaged by some products and drugs that had been prescribed by UK doctors. The

The golden visa scheme many Russian oligarchs use to live in the UK will be closed as soon as this week, Sky News understands. A government source said the Tier 1 investor visa scheme will be closed by the home secretary. Those who invest at least £2m in the UK are offered residency through the

The world must judge Russia with its own eyes as to whether it is de-escalating, the defence secretary said as he warned an invasion of Ukraine is still possible. Ben Wallace told Sky News: “I can also tell you judge with your own eyes at the scale of that Russian deployment on the borders of

Former health secretary Matt Hancock did not comply with a public sector equality duty when making appointments to top health jobs during the COVID pandemic, the High Court has ruled. In a judgment issued on Tuesday, it was found that Mr Hancock failed to comply with the duty when appointing Conservative peer Baroness Dido Harding

A Russian invasion of Ukraine would be a “very dangerous moment” for the world and could encourage aggressors such as China and Iran, the foreign secretary has warned. Liz Truss’ warning came as the UK and the US said an invasion was “imminent” as Moscow amasses more than 130,000 troops on Ukraine’s border. Ms Truss

Sir Keir Starmer has confirmed he has received death threats following the discredited Jimmy Savile remarks Boris Johnson made about him. The Labour leader said he had received death threats after the Metropolitan Police revealed on Sunday it was investigating allegations of malicious communications after receiving a third party report. Asked on Monday morning if