Latest UK news and comment

Ian Griffin jailed for 20 years for murdering wealthy girlfriend in Paris

Sentence comes after Kinga Legg’s battered body was found in their £1,000-a-night hotel room in 2009

Ian Griffin jailed for 20 years for murdering wealthy girlfriend in Paris
Sit in the corner: Nigel Farage’s tips for mothers breastfeeding in public

Ukip leader backs Claridge’s hotel in row over mother asked to hide her baby under a napkin and urges women to ‘be discreet’

Sit in the corner: Nigel Farage’s tips for mothers breastfeeding in public
George Osborne’s BBC attack branded ‘seriously unacceptable’

Chancellor accused by former Labour culture ministers of trying to scare the BBC before the 2015 election

George Osborne’s BBC attack branded ‘seriously unacceptable’

- Cartoon Craig Newmark caricature
  
  Nicola Jennings
  
  Internet entrepreneur
  
  Craig Newmark caricature
- Eric Pickles accused of exaggerating size of his Russian fanbase
  
  Aide claimed communities secretary stopped sending signed pictures abroad because of huge demand
  
  Eric Pickles accused of exaggerating size of his Russian fanbase
- Obama to meet Prince William at the White House – and reporters can wear sneakers
  
  Buckingham Palace confirms it will relax stuffy dress code for when Britain’s best-known ambulance-pilot-in-training meets the president on Monday
  
  Obama to meet Prince William at the White House – and reporters can wear sneakers
- Chief constable warns against ‘drift towards police state’
  
  Greater Manchester’s Sir Peter Fahy says it is not the police’s job to define what counts as extremism
  
  Chief constable warns against ‘drift towards police state’
- Ray Teret’s abuse has affected everything about my life, says victim
  
  Cathy Hymas, who has waived her anonymity, was 12 when she met Teret and the sexual abuse began soon afterwards
  
  Ray Teret’s abuse has affected everything about my life, says victim
- Two Britons jailed for 13 years for joining jihadi group in Syria
  
  Police found traces of explosives on clothes of Mohammed Ahmed and Yusuf Sarwar, who joined Kataib al-Muhajireen
  
  Two Britons jailed for 13 years for joining jihadi group in Syria
- Former DJ Ray Teret guilty of raping underage girls
  
  DJ throughout the 60s, 70s and 80s and friend of Jimmy Savile is convicted of seven rapes and 11 indecent assaults
  
  Former DJ Ray Teret guilty of raping underage girls
- Amnesty International demands UK inquiry into hooded men case
  
  Call for investigation comes after Ireland asks ECHR to revise 1978 ruling that says 14 suspects were not tortured by British army
  
  Amnesty International demands UK inquiry into hooded men case

Three PCs to be charged over handling of Iraqi refugee murdered in Bristol

Vulnerable Bijan Ebrahimi allegedly complained to police days before he was mistaken for a paedophile and killed

Three PCs to be charged over handling of Iraqi refugee murdered in Bristol
‘Hypnotist thief’ robs shopkeeper after appearing to put him in a trance

Police believe alleged theft of large sum of cash is ‘very elaborate and very well practised stage act or parlour trick’

‘Hypnotist thief’ robs shopkeeper after appearing to put him in a trance
The curious case of Stephen Greenhalgh and the Met 'key worker' homes

Why has Boris Johnson’s policy deputy become so protective of the tenants of homes he wants to sell off?

The curious case of Stephen Greenhalgh and the Met 'key worker' homes
UK spends billions on weapons, what for, exactly?

• Trident and aircraft carriers take up large part of UK defence budget
• Very different weapons needed to combat new threats
• Countering cyber attacks and extreme ideas among priorities now

UK spends billions on weapons, what for, exactly?
UK mass surveillance laws do not breach human rights, tribunal rules

Rights groups brought case against GCHQ after Snowden revelations on extent of electronic surveillance in UK and US

UK mass surveillance laws do not breach human rights, tribunal rules
Snow forecast to fall in UK on Friday

Meteorologists predict Scottish mountains could see several centimetres as wintry showers sweep across Britain

Snow forecast to fall in UK on Friday
Stricter drink-drive limit comes into force in Scotland

Motorists south of border warned they could legally drive after having a drink in England but be over limit in Scotland

Stricter drink-drive limit comes into force in Scotland
Top police officer: many viewing child abuse images should be treated on NHS

Norfolk chief constable Simon Bailey believes thousands on police database ‘pose no threat’ and don’t belong in prison

Top police officer: many viewing child abuse images should be treated on NHS
Madame Jojo’s rescue bid mounted by Labour councillors

New management should be allowed to take over the Soho venue rather than allowing gentrification, say campaigners

Madame Jojo’s rescue bid mounted by Labour councillors
Police say they have identified mother of baby found dead in wheelie bin

Woman believed to be mother of child is receiving medical treatment and care, say North Yorkshire police

Police say they have identified mother of baby found dead in wheelie bin
Vicar and daughter face extended police questioning over baby’s death

Lancashire constabulary investigate suspected murder of baby boy but rule out sex offence charges

Vicar and daughter face extended police questioning over baby’s death

BBC strikes back in battle over ‘bias’

Jane Martinson

Jane Martinson: The BBC team has decided that simply ‘letting things go’ in the phony war before the election is not good enough

BBC strikes back in battle over ‘bias’
Osborne is now more extreme than Thatcher, says Ed Balls

Shadow chancellor says cutting spending to 1930s levels ‘will create Britain no one would want to live in’

Osborne is now more extreme than Thatcher, says Ed Balls
More hospitals could be privately operated in NHS shakeup, says review

Review headed by Sir David Dalton suggests companies could be contracted to manage publicly-funded hospitals, pointing to Spain as example

More hospitals could be privately operated in NHS shakeup, says review

- Israel bars Gerry Adams from Gaza
  
  Sinn Féin leader refused entry to Gaza Strip because of his support for Palestinians and plans to meet Hamas
  
  Israel bars Gerry Adams from Gaza
- Leaders send Christmas greetings – and political messages – in festive cards
  
  Nick Clegg goes for photobooth japes, David Cameron stresses status, and Ed Miliband does ‘family guy but leader too’
  
  Leaders send Christmas greetings – and political messages – in festive cards
- Lib Dem foreign aid bill survives Tory attempt to kill it
  
  International development bill clears the Commons despite wrecking amendments laid by Conservative MPs
  
  Lib Dem foreign aid bill survives Tory attempt to kill it
- Nigel Farage says breastfeeding women should sit in a corner
  
  Ukip leader backs Claridge’s hotel, which asked mother to cover up, claiming people are uncomfortable with public breastfeeding
  
  Nigel Farage says breastfeeding women should sit in a corner
- Nigel Farage: breastfeeding mothers should sit in a corner – video
  
  Nigel Farage says women who breastfeed in public should do so without being 'ostentatious'
  
  Nigel Farage: breastfeeding mothers should sit in a corner – video
- Lib Dem leaders and former colleagues pay tribute to Jeremy Thorpe
  
  Lord Steel and Nick Clegg among those praising ‘resolute fighter against apartheid’ who took Liberal party to brink of coalition
  
  Lib Dem leaders and former colleagues pay tribute to Jeremy Thorpe

George Osborne rattled by tax experts’ accusations of colossal scale of cuts

Institute for Fiscal Studies statement prompts chancellor to condemn ‘hyperbolic news coverage’ on spending plans

George Osborne rattled by tax experts’ accusations of colossal scale of cuts
Vince Cable calls for watchdog to produce tax and spending options

Business secretary pushes for more data from Office for Budget Responsibility before Commons vote on new budget charter

Vince Cable calls for watchdog to produce tax and spending options
Tony Blair's wealth estimated at £10m

In interview with Vanity Fair, Blair says his work advising countries such as Kazakhstan is not as lucrative as people think

Tony Blair's wealth estimated at £10m
Tories likely to freeze working-age benefits to rein in welfare spending

George Osborne plans to cut billions off tax credits bill, which could reduce income of a working-poor family with one child by £350 a year

Tories likely to freeze working-age benefits to rein in welfare spending
Jeremy Thorpe: Liberal human rights advocate who took refuge in seclusion

Scandal of 1970s, rooted in days of illegal homosexuality, brought murder charge and suspicion of establishment cover-up

Jeremy Thorpe: Liberal human rights advocate who took refuge in seclusion
Osborne’s spending cuts will change state ‘beyond recognition’, says IFS

Institute for Fiscal Studies says scale of cuts planned by chancellor will force a ‘fundamental re-imagining of the state’

Osborne’s spending cuts will change state ‘beyond recognition’, says IFS
Cameron joked about Berlusconi’s ‘jacuzzis and whores’, says graffiti artist

Exclusive: Reformed vandal Ben Eine says UK PM quipped to wife Samantha he would not share prostitutes with the disgraced leader in Rome

Cameron joked about Berlusconi’s ‘jacuzzis and whores’, says graffiti artist
Nick Clegg: I’m not ashamed of the autumn statement

Deputy PM says he co-authored document and chose to go to Cornwall to meet ‘normal people’ rather than attend Commons

Nick Clegg: I’m not ashamed of the autumn statement
Osborne accuses BBC of ‘hyperbolic coverage’ of spending cuts

Chancellor hits out during interview on Today programme insisting projections of a return to 1930s levels are wrong

Osborne accuses BBC of ‘hyperbolic coverage’ of spending cuts
George Osborne thrown off course by pay squeeze and falling income tax take

Spending watchdog says more austerity needed to get deficit cut on track after chancellor misses short-term targets

George Osborne thrown off course by pay squeeze and falling income tax take
Ed Balls highlights flaws in Osborne’s autumn statement giveaways

Labour MP tackles chancellor on deficit and says growth has been revised downwards ‘year after year after year’

Ed Balls highlights flaws in Osborne’s autumn statement giveaways

Organ transplant risk is everyday dilemma for UK service

With doctors under pressure to conduct life-changing operations, taking on high-risk donations is increasingly a judgment call

Organ transplant risk is everyday dilemma for UK service
Britain in 2020 – a vision of the future, from rutted roads to citizen cops

How the country could look in six years’ time if spending cuts and austerity measures continue

Britain in 2020 – a vision of the future, from rutted roads to citizen cops
- George Osborne’s plan may not be set in stone, but it still spells deep cuts
  
  Larry Elliott
  
  The chancellor has accused his critics of hyperbole, but his autumn statement leaves him little room for manoeuvre
  
  George Osborne’s plan may not be set in stone, but it still spells deep cuts
- Autumn statement seems a repeat of 2010 no-winner austerity election
  
  As Tories promise ever more aggressive cuts and Miliband and Balls seem confused, every party loses in echoes of past
  
  Autumn statement seems a repeat of 2010 no-winner austerity election
- George Osborne’s slumber party is one for the maso-sadists
  
  John Crace’s sketch: The chancellor began his autumn statement as if his mission was to numb the opposition with numbers
  
  George Osborne’s slumber party is one for the maso-sadists
- Very political chancellor sharpens battle lines in autumn statement
  
  George Osborne targets voters who decide election but opposition believes he is still vulnerable
  
  Very political chancellor sharpens battle lines in autumn statement
- George Osborne’s Google tax doesn’t add up to a radical reform
  
  Chancellor trumpeted his diverted profits tax as a far-reaching crackdown but the reality may not be so ambitious
  
  George Osborne’s Google tax doesn’t add up to a radical reform
- If Osborne’s plans are followed, public spending will shrink to 1930s levels
  
  The chancellor did his best to bury the bad news, but the cuts needed to achieve his plan would be huge – and probably impossible
  
  If Osborne’s plans are followed, public spending will shrink to 1930s levels

Why has George Osborne missed the deficit target?

Low wages are not just an issue of fairness but tackling them is critical in efforts to cut the deficit

Why has George Osborne missed the deficit target?
Hospital births have never been safest – Nice is right to reverse this myth

Since the 1960s, UK births have increasingly taken place in the stressful environment of hospitals, but as this week’s guidelines highlight, there was never any proof that this was the safer option

Hospital births have never been safest – Nice is right to reverse this myth
Diggers to the ready for Danny’s delivery as he goes for confusion

It seems no amount of homebuilding or flood defences will stop the Lib Dems being washed away in next year’s election

Diggers to the ready for Danny’s delivery as he goes for confusion
Autumn statement: From pork-barrel politics to sleight of hand, here's what to expect

Larry Elliott and Rowena Mason explain just what to expect from the chancellor, whose spending powers are greatly reduced

Autumn statement: From pork-barrel politics to sleight of hand, here's what to expect
Government support for private colleges wasted millions of pounds

BIS wanted to reform higher education – instead there is a massive loan debt and questions over student attendance

Government support for private colleges wasted millions of pounds
Low-paid jobs at the root of Osborne’s failure to bring down the deficit

Questions over whether Labour’s plans would have suffered from eurozone crisis and oil prices in same way – but Alastair Darling also expected private investment return

Low-paid jobs at the root of Osborne’s failure to bring down the deficit
How the parties are jostling for position before the autumn statement

It may seem odd for a deputy PM to be calling the chancellor’s economic position nonsense – but all eyes are on the election

How the parties are jostling for position before the autumn statement
George Osborne’s autumn statement: I’m afraid there is no money

Chancellor’s extra NHS cash is equivalent to rummaging down the back of the sofa for change to feed the electricity meter

George Osborne’s autumn statement: I’m afraid there is no money
David Cameron under fire across Europe for migrants plan

Ian Traynor: Campaign to deprive Europeans in low-paid jobs in Britain of income support will provoke fierce resistance

David Cameron under fire across Europe for migrants plan
‘Westminster’s unbeatable shadowy elite’? Don’t believe all the populism

Michael White: Mitchell’s libel defeat, Mellor’s cab shame and Sun reporter’s acquittal confound claims that snooty establishment rules all

‘Westminster’s unbeatable shadowy elite’? Don’t believe all the populism
Community languages not supported in UK education system, survey suggests

Despite the fact almost one in five young people have a first language other than English, research reveals their skills go unsupported and unrecognised by exam system

Community languages not supported in UK education system, survey suggests
PM is accelerating a race to the bottom on immigration

Cameron could have risen to the occasion, like Obama, and tried to change the entire political tone of the debate over immigration

PM is accelerating a race to the bottom on immigration

NHS watchdog apologises for mistakes in assessing GPs’ performance

Care Quality Commission admits its banding system wrongly labelled 60 practices as potentially putting patients at risk

NHS watchdog apologises for mistakes in assessing GPs’ performance
Hospital A&Es miss waiting time target as admissions hit record high

Government says NHS is equipped to manage extra demand, as figures show attendances at A&Es up 5% on last year

Hospital A&Es miss waiting time target as admissions hit record high
- FGM: UK plan to require professionals to report suspected cases
  
  Charities welcome government move but say heavy-handed mandatory reporting could drive practice further underground
  
  FGM: UK plan to require professionals to report suspected cases
- Prison book ban is unlawful, court rules
  
  Judge quashes ban on sending books to prisoners and orders justice secretary Chris Grayling to amend policy
  
  Prison book ban is unlawful, court rules
- Transplant patients died after receiving kidneys with rare parasitic worm
  
  Doctors not to blame for neglect as two men suffered ‘unintended consequences’ of operation, coroner rules
  
  Transplant patients died after receiving kidneys with rare parasitic worm
- Inquest clears doctors of blame for deaths of transplant patients
  
  Death of Darren Hughes and Robert Stuart given worm-infected kidneys ‘unintended [outcome] of necessary intervention’
  
  Inquest clears doctors of blame for deaths of transplant patients
- Transplant patients knew donor had died of meningitis, doctor tells inquest
  
  Usman Khalid says he went through consent forms with Darren Hughes and Robert Stuart who died after receiving infected kidneys
  
  Transplant patients knew donor had died of meningitis, doctor tells inquest
- Patients rarely recognise telltale signs of cancer – study
  
  Experts say findings help explain why opportunities to diagnose cancer early are being missed
  
  Patients rarely recognise telltale signs of cancer – study

Nick Hardwick refuses to re-apply for chief inspector of prisons role

Robust critic of conditions in prisons in England and Wales is to step down after saying job process risks independence of role

Nick Hardwick refuses to re-apply for chief inspector of prisons role
Chris Grayling to press ahead with probation service privatisation

Justice secretary tells MPs his probation reforms are firmly on track, despite public safety concerns and conflict of interest row

Chris Grayling to press ahead with probation service privatisation
Government could build and sell new homes on public sector land

Danny Alexander tells housebuilding sector ‘if you don’t build them, we will’, with pilot project under way in Cambridgeshire

Government could build and sell new homes on public sector land
Chancellor to unveil dementia fund in autumn statement

Cabinet ministers trained as ‘dementia friends’ day before announcement of £15m kickstarter fund to help find cure

Chancellor to unveil dementia fund in autumn statement
Devon GP surgery accused of trying to deny treatments to patients

Practice in Newton Abbot forced to back down after it suggested that patients should not seek consultation for range of ailments

Devon GP surgery accused of trying to deny treatments to patients
New Era estate: residents stage protest at US investment firm’s office

Residents of east London estate stage demo at Westbrook Partners’ HQ in Mayfair to protest against plans to evict them

New Era estate: residents stage protest at US investment firm’s office
Charities’ fears over lack of proper care for dementia sufferers

Marie Curie and Alzheimer’s Society says lack of recognition of terminal diagnosis means care is often inconsistent

Charities’ fears over lack of proper care for dementia sufferers
Millions with HIV die for lack of access to Aids drugs, MPs say

Chair of HIV and Aids committee says failure to get drugs to low and middle-income countries is a ‘tragedy of epic proportions’

Millions with HIV die for lack of access to Aids drugs, MPs say
More action on empty homes wanted, Halifax study finds

Of 2,000 people questioned, 78% think the government should place a higher priority on tackling empty homes

More action on empty homes wanted, Halifax study finds
Charities warn against ‘chilling’ move to restrict access to judicial review

Coalition of 35 organisations claims charities may face punitive costs if they challenge future government decisions

Charities warn against ‘chilling’ move to restrict access to judicial review

David Cameron vows support for Afghanistan’s new government – video

The prime minister, David Cameron, says strengthening security partnerships with Afghanistan will help defeat terrorism

David Cameron vows support for Afghanistan’s new government – video
- Ben Eine: I'm a graffiti artist; I'm not meant to meet David Cameron – video
  
  Graffiti artist Ben Eine reveals his surprise at being invited to Downing Street for tea and biscuits
  
  Ben Eine: I'm a graffiti artist; I'm not meant to meet David Cameron – video
- Spectre, James Bond film number 24, announced at Pinewood Studios – video
  
  Director Sam Mendes announces plans for a new James Bond film, entitled Spectre, the 24th film in the series
  
  Spectre, James Bond film number 24, announced at Pinewood Studios – video
- George Osborne on autumn statement: difficult decisions ahead – video
  
  The chancellor says there will be 'difficult decisions ahead' as the government tries to create economic prosperity
  
  George Osborne on autumn statement: difficult decisions ahead – video
- Five suspected terrorists arrested, say South Wales police – video
  
  Assistant chief constable of South Wales police Nikki Holland discusses the terror arrests made in Cardiff and Barry and asks for co-operation from local communities. Five men between the ages of 19 and 32 were arrested on Thursday morning under the Terrorism Act. Two men were also arrested in south-east London by counter-terrorism police
  
  Five suspected terrorists arrested, say South Wales police – video

Missing mother, 'please come back,' says partner - video

The partner of Charlotte Bevan pleads for her to come home after she went missing from Bristol Maternity Hospital on Tuesday night

Missing mother, 'please come back,' says partner - video
CCTV shows missing mother leaving Bristol hospital with newborn baby - video

CCTV from Bristol Maternity Hospital shows 30-year-old Charlotte Bevan leaving with her four-day-old baby

CCTV shows missing mother leaving Bristol hospital with newborn baby - video
David Cameron accuses Ed Balls of 'masosadism' – video

Prime minister David Cameron accuses shadow chancellor Ed Balls of 'masosadism' during prime minister's questions

David Cameron accuses Ed Balls of 'masosadism' – video
George Osborne's autumn statement: 'Stay on course to prosperity' – video

George Osborne gives his autumn statement to the House of Commons on Wednesday

George Osborne's autumn statement: 'Stay on course to prosperity' – video
How do Apple, Google and Amazon avoid UK tax? – video

Huge US technology companies such as Google, Amazon and Apple all sell millions of pounds worth of products and services in the UK but pay very little tax

How do Apple, Google and Amazon avoid UK tax? – video
Russell Brand's Trews: 'I was in Rasputin mode' during 'snide' comment – video

Russell Brand looks back at the moment he called a reporter a 'snide' during a broadcast of the New Era housing estate protest outside 10 Downing Street

Russell Brand's Trews: 'I was in Rasputin mode' during 'snide' comment – video
Social care should be part of NHS, says Labour's Andy Burnham – video

Andy Burnham announces Labour's proposals to bring social care services under the remit of the NHS to care for people better in their own homes

Social care should be part of NHS, says Labour's Andy Burnham – video
Russell Brand tells journalist who asked about his London home: 'You're a snide' – video

Russell Brand refuses to engage a reporter in a conversation over his London home during a protest at Downing Street

Russell Brand tells journalist who asked about his London home: 'You're a snide' – video
Ed Miliband: immigration needs proper controls – video

Labour leader Ed Miliband says immigration has to be 'made to benefit our country'

Ed Miliband: immigration needs proper controls – video
David Cameron: Britain has long-term plan for flood defences – video

David Cameron says all flood defences that were damaged last winter in extreme weather have been repaired

David Cameron: Britain has long-term plan for flood defences – video
Flood defences spending announced by Danny Alexander – video

The chief secretary to the Treasury, Danny Alexander, announces £2.3bn investment over six years in flood defences, following the devastating floods last winter

Flood defences spending announced by Danny Alexander – video
Gordon Brown confirms he is stepping down as MP – video

Former prime minister Gordon Brown announces he is stepping down as an MP after more than 30 years in parliament

Gordon Brown confirms he is stepping down as MP – video
New Era estate: residents stage protest at US investment firm's office - video

Residents of housing estate in east London have travelled to the offices of the US investment company that has bought their homes to protest against its eviction plans.

New Era estate: residents stage protest at US investment firm's office - video
David Cameron visits Stonehenge after tunnel plans announced - video

Prime minister David Cameron visits Stonehenge in Wiltshire, next to the A303, as the government announces a 15bn investment into Britian's roads

David Cameron visits Stonehenge after tunnel plans announced - video

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