Lead News

Theresa May will try to rally ministers behind her this morning at the start of a critical 48 hours for Brexit. On Monday, the PM told MPs an agreement with the EU was “still achievable” despite apparent deadlock over the issue of the Irish border.   EU officials, though, have warned no-deal is “more likely than ever before”.   The ...

Prime Minister Theresa May has called for “cool, calm heads” as she insisted a Brexit deal was “still achievable” despite differences with the EU. She said it was “frustrating” the two sides could not agree how to guarantee no hard border in Northern Ireland.   The issue could not “derail” the chances of striking a deal, she said.   And ...

A British student has been charged with spying in the United Arab Emirates, officials have said. The UAE government said on Monday that Matthew Hedges was accused of “spying for and on behalf of a foreign state”.   Mr Hedges, a PhD student at Durham University, was arrested on 5 May in Dubai and has reportedly been held in solitary ...

Cabinet ministers should “exert their collective authority” and rebel against Theresa May’s proposed Brexit deal, ex-Brexit Secretary David Davis has said. The PM has suggested a temporary customs arrangement for the whole UK to remain in the customs union while the Irish border issue is resolved.   Brexiteers suspect this could turn into a permanent situation, restricting the freedom to ...

Forecasting body blames growing risks of no-deal Brexit as it downgrades estimate The British economy is heading for its worst year in almost a decade amid the growing risks from no-deal Brexit, according to a leading economic forecaster. After official figures revealed zero growth in GDP in August, the EY Item Club said the economy would struggle to recover in ...

Minister’s remarks contradict PM’s and follow warning of poll tax-style backlash Theresa May faces a House of Commons revolt over universal credit after the minister responsible for the system contradicted the government line and admitted it will leave some families “worse off”. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) needs to pass regulations in order to implement the next phase ...

Downing Street spokeswoman tries to ease cabinet Brexiters’ concerns over Irish backstop Downing Street has insisted the government will not sign up to any deal with the EU that would keep the UK in a customs union indefinitely, as the prime minister tries to assuage concerns in her cabinet. British negotiators in Brussels are thought to be preparing to sign ...

  The UK’s foreign secretary has told Saudi Arabia that Britain expects urgent answers over the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. In a phone call to Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister, Adel al-Jubeir, Jeremy Hunt warned that “friendships depend on shared values”.  Mr Khashoggi was last seen visiting the Saudi consulate in Istanbul last week, and Turkey says he may ...

Penny Mordaunt increases pressure on government not to make concessions to EU Penny Mordaunt has refused to explicitly back Theresa May’s Chequers plan for Brexit, increasing pressure on the government not to make dramatic concessions to Brussels in the crucial days ahead. The international development secretary said she would not give a “running commentary” on the proposals when asked if ...

WFP urgently needs US $66mn to provide assistance till Mar 2019   Photo: This file photo shows miserable condition of a Rohingya camp in Cox’s Bazar. Dhaka, Oct 9 : The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) in Bangladesh has welcomed a new contribution of US $22.25 million from the United Kingdom that will help meet the immediate food and ...