Politician among up to five potential prosecutions over bets on election date
A politician and a close protection guard are among those the Gambling Commission is looking to prosecute following its investigation into bets placed on the date of the election.
A source has told Sky News chief political correspondent Jon Craig that at least three – and potentially as many as five – people may be charged.
Whether bets were placed on the date of the snap general election called by Rishi Sunak earlier this year was one of the issues that dogged the Conservative campaign.
Mood music is pretty clear as allies seek to Trump-proof support for Ukraine
President Joe Biden may have given permission for Ukraine to use American long-range missiles on Russia, but we await word on whether British Storm Shadows will also be permitted.
Sir Keir Starmer is keeping coy, but our political editor Beth Rigby says the “mood music is pretty clear”.
Given the PM’s desire to “double down” on support for Kyiv, it’s quite apparent he’d like to see those Storm Shadows used.
It’d represent a pretty big outcome from this week’s G20 summit in Brazil, where Beth says there’s a sense Western allies are “Trump-proofing” support for Ukraine before the president-elect takes office.
Our US correspondent Mark Stone also expects Ukraine to get permission for the use of Storm Shadows, saying it’s “almost certain” they will follow suit.
With Trump arriving in the White House in the new year, the assessment from Ukraine’s allies is Putin will be less likely to escalate the conflict.
The arrival of North Korean troops in Russia is also seen as a move which has changed Biden’s stance.
Putin ‘the only winner’ if Starmer discusses missiles plan
Sir Keir Starmer is currently in Brazil for a G20 summit.
He has just answered some questions from broadcasters.
First up, the PM is asked about the potential use by Ukrainian forces of British Storm Shadow missiles in Russia.
It comes after Joe Biden gave the green light for Kyiv to use American long-range missiles on targets in Russian territory.
Sir Keir starts his response by pointing out tomorrow is the 1,000th day of the war in Ukraine.
He then says: “I’m not going to get into operational details because the only winner, if we were to do that, is Putin, and I’m not prepared to do that.”
The PM repeats the answer when pushed on the topic, before adding: “We need to make sure Ukraine has what is necessary for as long as necessary, because we cannot allow Putin to win this war.”
He added that he has not spoken to Mr Putin like German Chancellor Olaf Scholz did recently – and has no plans to do so.
Why speak to Xi?
The next topic is on Sir Keir’s meeting with Chinese premier Xi Jinping.
The UK leader met him at the G20 summit in Brazil – despite concerns from some UK parliamentarians about doing so due to China’s record on human rights.
Sir Keir said: “I’ve been clear that I want a serious and pragmatic relationship with China.
“It’s the second-biggest economy in the world. It’s one of our biggest trading partners, and therefore we have issues that we clearly need to discuss, whilst, of course, being clear about the issues that we do not agree on.
“But I will always act in the national interest, and that was the basis upon which we had our discussions this morning.”
Farmers may be descending upon Westminster tomorrow, but it’s been foreign policy dominating proceedings today.
From China to Ukraine, and Russia to Sudan, here are the main things to catch up on this evening:
- Britain’s defence secretary will hold talks with his Ukrainian counterpart tonight after the US gave Kyiv permission to use long-range missiles against targets inside Russia;
- John Healey stayed coy on whether the UK would give the green light, but told the Commons support for Ukraine was “iron-clad”;
- It comes after Sir Keir Starmer said Western allies must “double down” on backing for Ukraine;
- Politics At Jack And Sam’s has analysed why the US has finally made the decision after months of stalling:
- Sir Keir Starmer has become the first British PM since 2018 to meet the Chinese president, Xi Jinping;
- The pair held talks at the G20 summit in Rio, Brazil, where Sir Keir said a “strong” relationship was in the interests of both countries;
- While the pair talked about their disagreements during bilateral talks, they agreed on working together to transition to net zero.
- Foreign Secretary David Lammy has been chairing a UN security council meeting over in New York, where a vote was tabled on a ceasefire in the devastating Sudan civil war;
- Russia vetoed the motion, which Mr Lammy described as a “disgrace”, adding: “Shame on Putin.”
Politics Hub With Sophy Ridge is live from 7pm.
Joining us tonight is former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith, one of the British MPs who’s been sanctioned by China.
Also on the show is Maggie Oliver, former detective constable with Greater Manchester Police, to discuss a review into strip searching which came after a Sky News investigation.
And on our panel are former Labour MP Ben Bradshaw and broadcaster Nick Ferrari.
Defence secretary stays coy on long-range missiles in Ukraine – and will hold talks with Kyiv tonight
John Healey, the defence secretary, is still answering questions from MPs in the House of Commons.
Unsurprisingly, the announcement overnight that the US would allow Ukraine to use long-range missiles in Russia comes up.
However, Mr Healey remained coy about what the UK’s stance was.
He told the Commons he would not comment so not to “compromise operations and security”.
“The prime minister has been clear, as I do to the House today, that we must double down on the support for Ukraine, give Ukraine the support it needs, and do so for as long as it takes,” he added.
“And in doing so we will continue our close co-operation with the US and allies in providing that support to Ukraine.”
‘A very serious development’
Mr Healey was pushed on the matter by shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge, who said the Tories would support the move to allow Kyiv to fire Storm Shadow missiles into Russia.
He also described the deployment of 10,000 North Korean troops to Russia as an “escalation”.
Mr Healey replied: “The shadow secretary of state is right, the one person responsible for escalation in this conflict is President Putin. The one side that has been escalating in recent months is Russia.”
He added: “This is a very serious development that I’m discussing with the US defence secretary and will be doing so this evening with the Ukrainian defence secretary as well.”
‘Shame on Putin’: Foreign secretary attacks Russia at UN
Sir Keir Starmer isn’t the only one engaging in overseas diplomacy today, with the foreign secretary also out of the country.
While the PM is in Brazil for the G20, David Lammy is representing the UK at the United Nations in New York.
The UK holds the presidency of the security council, and held a vote calling for a ceasefire in Sudan, which is currently engulfed in a civil war.
The motion was vetoed by Russia.
In response, Mr Lammy branded Moscow an “enemy of peace”.
‘Shame on Putin’
“This Russia veto is a disgrace, and it shows the world, yet again, Russia’s true colours,” he said.
“Shame on Putin for waging a war of aggression in Ukraine.
“Shame on Putin for using his mercenaries to spread conflict and violence across the African continent.
“And shame on Putin for pretending to be a partner of the global south, while condemning black Africans to further killing, further rape, further starvation in a brutal war.”
The motion also called for the protection of civilians and the allowance of aid to enter Sudan.
In response, the Russian representative, claimed the UK and other nations were trying to “meddle in Sudanese affairs”.
The UK yesterday announced it was doubling its aid to Sudan.
Meanwhile, it’s also announced new sanctions on Iran for aiding the Russian war effort in Ukraine.
UK ‘will look to be first in NATO’ during Trump presidency
The future of NATO is somewhat more uncertain with Donald Trump heading back to the White House.
He’s been a regular critic of members who he says piggyback on US funding and has even cast doubt on the principle of an attack on one member being an attack on all.
Defence Secretary John Healey was asked about the president-elect’s stance just a short while ago.
Speaking in the House of Commons during defence questions, he said he was pleased to see spending going up, with 23 NATO nations – including the UK – spending at least the target amount of 2% of GDP on defence.
The government has vowed to increase to 2.5%, but hasn’t said when that’ll actually happen.
“We commit almost all of our armed forces to NATO so we will play a leading role,” said Mr Healey.
“We will have a NATO-first policy at the heart of our defence plans and will always look to be first in NATO as part of our leadership role.”
Starmer and Xi agree to ‘work together’ on net zero transition
We’ve had some detail from Downing Street about the prime minister’s talks with China’s President Xi Jinping.
They’ve had a meeting at the G20 summit in Rio, Brazil – the first time a British PM has met the Chinese leader since 2018.
Sir Keir Starmer is said to have spoken of the UK and China’s “shared responsibility to work together” on global stability, economic ties, and working towards clean energy.
He wants a “consistent, respectful, and pragmatic” relationship with Beijing, with climate a “particular” focus.
Both Sir Keir and President Xi said this “should be high on the agenda and there was more work to be done” to achieve net zero.
The PM said he wants to “engage honestly and frankly” on areas of disagreement like Ukraine and Hong Kong.
More talks between the two sides are set to take place next year, when the chancellor visits Beijing.
Farmers to protest over ‘completely unacceptable’ inheritance tax changes
Large demonstrations by farmers are expected in London on Tuesday as they fight to reverse “absolutely unacceptable” changes to inheritance tax.
The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) is holding a mass lobby of MPs with 1,800 of its members – three times as many people as originally planned – to urge backbenchers to stand up to the government’s plans to impose inheritance tax on farms worth more than £1m.
And thousands more are expected to join a separate rally in Whitehall as they protest against last month’s budget, which also sped up the phase out of EU-era subsidies as funding is switched to nature-friendly farming schemes.
Celebrities including TV presenter and farmer Jeremy Clarkson – who told The Times in 2021 that avoiding inheritance tax was “critical” in his decision to buy land – are expected to join the rally.
The largest show of anger yet
Organisers and farming leaders say they have no concerns over potential trouble despite speculation over far right protesters attending.
While a procession to Parliament Square will be spearheaded by children on toy tractors, organisers have told those coming they should not bring their farm machinery.
It is the largest show of anger to date over the inheritance tax changes for farming businesses, which limit the 100% relief for farms to only the first £1m of combined agricultural and business property.
For anything above that, landowners will pay a 20% tax rate, rather than the standard 40% rate of inheritance tax (IHT) applied to other land and property.
Starmer raises case of Jimmy Lai in talks with Xi
Sir Keir Starmer raised the case of Jimmy Lai, the pro-democracy activist and British national imprisoned in Hong Kong, during his bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping today.
Journalists were ushered out of the room at the time, PA reports.
The prime minister said: “I’m very pleased that my foreign secretary and foreign minister Wang met recently to discuss respective concerns including on human rights and parliamentary sanctions, Taiwan, the South China Sea and our shared interest in Hong Kong.
“We are concerned by reports of Jimmy Lai’s deterioration.”
Who is Jimmy Lai?
British citizen Mr Lai, one of the most prominent critics of the Chinese Communist Party, has been in prison since December 2020.
He is serving almost six years for lease fraud – normally a civil issue resulting in a fine – and is also facing trial for sedition and collusion with foreign forces.