Man arrested on suspicion of Chinese spying was in UK parliament as recently as January
Man arrested on suspicion of Chinese spying was in UK parliament as recently as January
David Taylor held a key role in a cross-party group of MPs on relations with Qatar.
dlvr.it
NEW: Talks on reopening the Strait of Hormuz remain deadlocked amid confusion over Donald Trump’s call for support to U.S. allies, per 4 European govt officials. So far, Washington has not made any requests for equipment. @estwebber.bsky.social www.politico.eu/article/donl...
Trump’s ‘absurdly incoherent’ Iran pleas leave allies befuddled
European countries have ruled out helping secure the Strait of Hormuz until the conflict is over — but also haven’t received any specific requests for assistance from the U.S.
politico.eu
Moscow proposed a quid pro quo to the U.S. under which the Kremlin would stop sharing intelligence information with Iran, such as the precise coordinates of U.S. military assets in the Middle East, if Washington ceased supplying Ukraine with intel about Russia.
Putin offers to stop sharing intel with Iran if US cuts off Ukraine
The U.S. rejected the Russian proposal, which has nonetheless sparked concerns in Europe amid growing transatlantic tensions.
politico.eu
We've got new reporting on how Trump's team repeatedly tried to intervene over Starmer's removal of Karen Pierce as ambassador in favour of Mandelson. It was raised with Jonathan Powell and Morgan McSweeney in Florida *and then* in a phonecall weeks later: www.politico.eu/article/dona...
Trump’s team repeatedly tried to intervene over Mandelson appointment
Two people tell POLITICO that the initial response to the controversial ambassadorial appointment was deeply skeptical, despite eventual assent.
politico.eu
My X account has been hacked in what might be my final nudge to leave that site - please ignore any DMs from me over there!
EXCL: Ministers are poised to cut the watchdog that measures the UK’s overseas aid spending. Labour MPs pointing out that the party made an explicit commitment to “work closely” with the watchdog in the 2024 manifesto. www.politico.eu/article/over...
Overseas aid cuts threaten UK aid watchdog
Labour MPs are voicing concerns about the plans, which would limit scrutiny of development spending.
politico.eu
EXCL: Gulf allies let down after Starmer acted too slowly and deployed wrong assets to the region, according to military and diplomatic figures. “No.10 was determined to downplay perception of us getting involved and now is playing catch up” www.politico.eu/article/brit...
Britain scrambles to shield Gulf allies as Iran war pounds on
Keir Starmer’s hesitation as war loomed in the Middle East has left Gulf allies exposed.
politico.eu
EXCL: The British Council is preparing to shed hundreds of jobs and scale back operations across Europe. Part of a squeeze on British soft power institutions funded by government, with BBC World Service also facing cuts. by Hannah Roberts @masonboyowen.bsky.social www.politico.eu/article/keir...
Layoffs loom at the British Council as budget squeeze hits overseas programs
The U.K.’s vehicle for cultural and education programming abroad faces massive cuts.
politico.eu
EXCL: Nigel Farage has quietly been trying to fix his Russia problem. Reform aides have been holding meetings with embassies, including Ukraine. But diplomats are not wholly reassured. “We don’t have clarity of what their position on Ukraine is, to be honest.” www.politico.eu/article/nige...
Nigel Farage tries to fix his Russia problem
Reform UK is making efforts to shake off its foreign policy headahces, from Putin to Trump.
politico.eu
EXC: Former defence sec Ben Wallace + Labour MPs call on Starmer to make a more visible show of support for Greenland against Trump threats. They want Britain to exploit links in the High North through the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF). w/@samblewett.bsky.social www.politico.eu/article/uk-u...
UK urged to beef up Greenland support amid Trump threats
Former Defence Secretary Ben Wallace is among those calling for Britain to make better use of the existing Joint Expeditionary Force.
politico.eu
I wrote about London's new Holocaust memorial, due to get the green light this year. Supporters believe the project has already been delayed for too long. But critics fear it will oversimplify Britain’s relationship with its past and with present-day antisemitism. www.politico.eu/article/brit...
Britain’s troubled Holocaust memorial
Stalled for more than a decade, a memorial in the shadow of the U.K. Parliament has stirred strong emotions — and very British planning objections.
politico.eu
"We have built factories that could start making equipment tomorrow. But we can’t until an order is placed” Worked with @estwebber.bsky.social on a sad tale about Britain's defence industry, waiting to hear if the government will ever pour money into the sector www.politico.eu/article/keir...
Starmer promised to spend big on defense but Britain’s arms industry is still waiting
Six months after a major inquiry into how the U.K. would meet geopolitical threats, many in the industry complain they haven’t received the certainty they need about where the British government pl…
politico.eu
EXCL: Final decision on restoring the Palace of Westminster will be delayed until 2030s MPs were expected to vote by the end of 2025 on a way forward for fixing the crumbling parliament, but that now won't happen Story w/@danbloom1.bsky.social www.politico.eu/article/fina...
Final decision on fate of crumbling UK parliament delayed to 2030s
It’s a fire-hazard that’s prone to tumbling masonry — but fear of a public backlash is again delaying repairs to the world famous building.
politico.eu
🚨🚨🚨 EXCLUSIVE by @estwebber.bsky.social and me Final decision on restoration of parliament is set to be postponed **beyond the next general election** MPs were due to vote this year on 4 options Plan is now: pick 2 options, and start "preparatory work" Final option may only emerge in early 2030s
Final decision on fate of crumbling UK parliament delayed to 2030s
It’s a fire-hazard that’s prone to tumbling masonry — but fear of a public backlash is again delaying repairs to the world famous building.
politico.eu
EXCL: MPs urging Yvette Cooper to use the G7 to ramp up pressure for a breakthrough in Sudan, warning that "global attention has drifted away" Labour MP David Taylor: the UK “has a moral duty to redouble its diplomatic efforts and push for a lasting resolution" www.politico.eu/article/uk-g...
UK government under pressure to stop Sudan bloodshed
Britain is officially responsible for the Sudan portfolio at the U.N. Security Council.
politico.eu
Defence ministers went to the Arctic this week to war game what would happen if Russia seeds disorder on their doorstep. “Russia is living in the Arctic. We need to step up on the European side to learn to live in the ice-covered polar sea.” My piece from Bodø: www.politico.eu/article/brit...
Deep inside a mountain, Britain prepares for Russian onslaught
British military planners travelled to Bodø, nestled between the sea and snow-capped peaks of the Arctic Circle, to war-game out the response to Russian threats.
politico.eu
EXCL: Two alleged members of the Sudanese paramilitary group RSF were invited to speak at a Labour conference fringe event. RSF is accused of crimes against humanity including the rape and murder of civilians www.politico.eu/article/suda...
Sudanese ‘militiamen’ invited to Labour Party conference event
Event was arranged by organization run by Labour councillor known in Westminster for running the British Kebab Awards.
politico.eu
👑🇺🇦 Ukraine’s best hope for influencing Trump? King Charles. The King is “very close” to detail of Ukraine negotiations and to Zelenskyy himself. While he won't speak publicly about matters of government, he is “adept at finding other ways of showing his views.” www.politico.eu/article/dona...
Ukraine’s best hope for influencing Trump? King Charles.
The U.S. president will be lauded with the finest pomp and pageantry Britain has to offer.
politico.eu
NEW: Full story of extraordinary Mandelson affair and what next — Trump upset by handling and that Starmer didn't tell him personally — Edgy about state visit being overshadowed — Pushing for a replacement to happen before state visit w/@samblewett.bsky.social www.politico.eu/article/how-...
How the Epstein scandal claimed Britain’s ‘Prince of Darkness’
Peter Mandelson’s sacking shocked London and Washington just days before a high-stakes state visit.
politico.eu
NEW: Keir Starmer keen to big up tackling illegal migration when he meets Friedrich Merz, but the steps announced today are limited. Both men facing domestic pressure on migration but less clear how they can help each other compared with France. w/Nette Noestlinger www.politico.eu/article/keir...
Starmer and Merz find their happy place: War
Germany’s leader will use a London visit Thursday to finalize a wide-ranging pact that goes big on security cooperation.
politico.eu
Starmer and Macron going big on defence today, but are they papering over the cracks? — differing approaches to Trump — France reluctant for UK access to EU fund — coalition of the willing at an impasse www.politico.eu/article/emma...
Macron pitches Starmer on new special relationship as leaders strike defense deals
The countries have dubbed their defense refresh an “entente industrielle.”
politico.eu
State Visit time! While it's all about amity, the King's words will be watched for hints about where the allies have further to go. “Look at what the king has done on Canada and on Ukraine without saying a word” said one ex-diplomat. w/@cleacaulcutt.bsky.social www.politico.eu/article/keir...
Move over Starmer: It’s the King Charles and Macron show
The British monarch prepares to roll out the red carpet for France’s president — and offer some welcome relief from strife back home.
politico.eu
EXC: Alan Turing Institute ordered to drop health and climate research and focus on defence In a letter to its director Science Sec Peter Kyle says it needs a complete overhaul to “strengthen government’s confidence in the institute” w/Joe Bambridge, Tom Bristow www.politico.eu/article/uk-g...
UK government demands overhaul at under-fire AI institute
The Alan Turing Institute has been criticized for failing to anticipate major changes to the AI landscape.
politico.eu
EXC: Britain and Germany are preparing to sign a treaty covering defence, travel and illegal migration. It features a mutual assistance clause in the case of a threat to either nation. w/Chris Lunday, Nette Nostlinger www.politico.eu/article/uk-g...
UK and Germany prepare to sign wide-ranging mutual defense treaty
Under the pact, any strategic threat to one country would represent a threat to the other.
politico.eu
🪖 Keir Starmer's discomfort last week - trumpeting defence spending at NATO as welfare rebellion brewed - is only going to get worse. Defence is Labour's top priority, says a Cabinet minister, and “people will need to get used to it” www.politico.eu/article/labo...
How war ate Keir Starmer’s agenda
Hiking Britain’s military spending keeps Trump sweet and could counter domestic rivals — but it’s raising questions about Labour’s priorities.
politico.eu
Pledging to spend 5 percent of GDP on defense may have been the easy part for NATO allies. Now European leaders face a tougher test — selling this at home, figuring out how to spend the money, and preparing for potential U.S. troop reductions. www.politico.eu/article/euro...
Europe managed to keep Trump in NATO. Now what?
National leaders now need to find the money and buy weapons to deter Russia while facing a potential reduction of U.S. troops on the continent.
politico.eu
When you drive into Clackmannanshire, the sign says "CLACKMANNANSHIRE - more than you imagine" and I think that raises all sorts of questions.
Wrote something on tension in Labour between town vs city MPs - and how the welfare vote could make it worse. “A London MP [is] not going to be cheering on what’s happened with defence spending and foreign aid, but in my constituency it’s been very well received.” www.politico.eu/article/uk-l...
Keir Starmer’s massive majority brings problems of its own
Labour seems unified in public, but a division is emerging between MPs representing what they see as its core voters, and those from towns the party is newly courting.
politico.eu
While Starmer and Reeves remain close, there are signs of No.10 asserting independence. The PM insisted on defense uplift taking place more quickly than Reeves wanted, per sources. No.10 is also finally recruiting an economic adviser. with @danbloom1.bsky.social www.politico.eu/article/keir...
The Starmer and Reeves double act is about to be tested
A strong, if shallow, partnership at the top has defined Labour in office. Can it hold when the going gets tough?
politico.eu
