BBC general election debate live: Sunak and Starmer accuse each other of deceit and hypocrisy in angry spats
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Tory election betting probe: ‘Totally unacceptable’ if rules broken says Welsh secretary
Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer attacked one another over migration, tax, women’s rights, Brexit and integrity as they traded furious blows during the final party leaders’ live BBC general election debate.
The prime minister claimed the Labour leader was not being straight – but Sir Keir was visibly angry when Mr Sunak repeated the Conservatives’ allegation that Labour would put up tax bills by £2,000.
“That’s a lie – he’s been told not to repeat that lie and he’s just done it,” Sir Keir said.
Mr Sunak said he understood why people were frustrated with him. “And why won’t Keir Starmer be straight with you about what he wants to do?” he added.
Sir Keir said: “My message to you is simple: if you want your NHS back, you have to vote for it. If you want a growing economy, you have to vote for it.”
In a snap YouGov snap poll of viewers, 47% said Sir Keir won, 47% said Mr Sunak did, and 6% did not know.
As Westminster reels from gambling accusations, Labour suspended a party member after being arrested in connection of the honeytrap scandal that rocked Westminster.
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The number that spells trouble for Keir Starmer
The number that spells trouble for Keir Starmer
According to the opinion polls, the winner of the general election is clear – but Labour is rightly worried that its vote share could yet be outshone by Jeremy Corbyn’s in 2017. Anything less than 40 per cent will store up problems for Starmer’s administration, says Andrew Grice
Salma Ouaguira27 June 2024 07:00
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Behind the scenes as Jeremy Hunt scrambles to defend true-blue seat
Behind the scenes of the Lib Dem assault on Jeremy Hunt’s true-blue Surrey seat
The chancellor is plotting a narrow course to victory in the ‘true-blue’ seat but, on a sunny Tuesday afternoon, Archie Mitchell struggled to see how he can hold on
Salma Ouaguira27 June 2024 06:00
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Exclusive: Starmer’s strongest warning to striking doctors: I won’t give 35% rise
Sir Keir Starmer has warned striking junior doctors in his strongest words yet that he will not give them the 35 per cent pay rise they are demanding.
Junior doctors are set to start their 11th walkout on Thursday morning in a bid to apply political pressure during the general election with a refusal to back down over their pay demands.
The latest five-day strike comes during the hottest week of the year and off the back of a cyberattack on London hospitals which has already resulted in thousands of operations being cancelled.
This week will also see NHS services deal with major events such as Glastonbury and the London Pride march.
Starmer’s strongest warning yet to striking doctors: I won’t give 35% rise
Exclusive: As junior doctors prepare to start another five-day strike on Thursday, Keir Starmer has used his strongest language yet to warn Labour will not meet their pay demands
Salma Ouaguira27 June 2024 05:00
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George Galloway claims he was stalked by Baby Reindeer’s ‘real-life’ Martha
George Galloway claims he was stalked by Baby Reindeer’s ‘real-life’ Martha
Galloway says Fiona Harvey called him ‘hundreds of times and she showed up probably hundreds of times’
Salma Ouaguira27 June 2024 04:00
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Tory candidates beg voters: back me, not Sunak
Tory candidates beg voters: back me, not Sunak
Exclusive: Tory candidates try to separate themselves from Rishi Sunak in desperate bid to get elected
Salma Ouaguira27 June 2024 03:00
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No clear winner in the BBC leaders’ debate
There was no winner in the BBC prime ministerial debate, according to a YouGov snap poll.
In a survey of 1,716 viewers, 47% said Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer won, 47% said Prime Minister Rishi Sunak did, and 6% answered they did not know.
Salma Ouaguira27 June 2024 02:00
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Party leaders clashed in a fiery BBC debate
The leaders’ combative back and forths continued until the very end of the debate, with Sir Keir Starmer accusing Rishi Sunak of lying in his closing statement.
Bringing the debate to a close, Mr Sunak said: “I understand why you’re frustrated with our party, with me, I get it. But this is not a by-election, it’s a choice with profound consequences for you and our country. And before you make that choice, think what a Labour government would mean.
“Can you afford to pay at least £2,000 more in tax? And why won’t Keir Starmer be straight with you about what he wants to do? And if you’re not certain about Labour, don’t surrender to them, don’t vote for any other party, vote Conservative.”
In response, the Labour leader said: “That is a lie, he’s been told not to repeat that lie and he’s just done it.”
For his final thought, Sir Keir said: “My message to you is simple: if you want your NHS back, you have to vote for it. If you want a growing economy, you have to vote for it.
“If you want more police on our streets or teachers in our schools, you have to vote for it. If you want to end 14 years of chaos … then that power is in your hands, on July the 4th, vote change, vote Labour.”
Salma Ouaguira27 June 2024 01:10
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Starmer denied claims Labour would allow ‘free movement by the back doors’
Sir Keir Starmer has denied claims from Rishi Sunak that a Labour government would allow “free movement by the back doors”.
“We are not going back into the EU, we’re not rejoining the single market or customs union, and we’re not accepting freedom of movement,” he said.
“I’m not a defeatist like the Prime Minister.”
To applause, he added: “I know we can get a better deal than the botched deal that we’ve got and I’m going to go out and fight for it. Not going to have freedom of movement come back, not going to back to the EU, but going to fight for get a better deal so you can trade more easily, so our economy can succeed, because I believe in our country.”
Mr Sunak said he had negotiated for 18 months and that Sir Keir was saying he could “magic some good thing for us” with nothing expected in return from the EU.
Sir Keir said: “It’s very important when you start those negotiations that you’re very clear on the lines you won’t cross, and I’ve set out the lines I won’t cross.”
Salma Ouaguira27 June 2024 00:40
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Police investigate ‘small number of cases’ in gambling scandal
The Met Police will lead on investigating a “small number of cases” related to the Westminster gambling row to “assess whether the alleged offending goes beyond Gambling Act offences to include others, such as misconduct in public office”.
A Met Police spokesperson said: “The Met is not taking over the investigation into bets on the timing of the General Election.
“The Gambling Commission will continue to lead the investigation into cases where the alleged offending is limited to breaches of the Gambling Act only.
“Met detectives will lead on investigating a small number of cases to assess whether the alleged offending goes beyond Gambling Act offences to include others, such as misconduct in public office.
“We will provide further information tomorrow.”
Salma Ouaguira27 June 2024 00:20
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Shouting heard during Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer’s last debate
Shouting heard during Sunak and Starmer’s last debate of general election campaign
Shouting could be heard outside a BBC debate between Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer on Wednesday, 26 June. Pro-Palestine protesters calling for a ceasefire in Gaza could be heard shouting as they stood outside the Nottingham Trent University building while the party leaders took part in the debate. Host Mishal Hussain confirmed the demonstration was taking place and apologised to viewers and the audience. “If anyone can hear any noises off ladies and gentlemen, or anyone at home, there is a protest taking place outside which is also an aspect of our democracy, and people exercising their free speech,” the broadcaster said.
Salma Ouaguira26 June 2024 23:50
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