Politics latest: Tory leadership hopeful to attack Starmer for riot response as PM cancels holiday (2024)

Last night, Sir Keir Starmer spoke to PresidentMasoud Pezeshkian of Iran.

It was part of an effort - alongside nations like France and Germany - to ease tensions in the Middle East.

Iran has been threatening to retaliate against Israel following the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehrah last month - an action blamed on Israel by Iran and its allies.

But the intervention from the UK, France and Germany has shown "lack political logic and contradict principles of international law," an Iranian spokesperson has said this morning.

Nasser Kanaani, Iran's foreign affairs spokesperson, said: "Without any objection to the crimes of the Zionist regime [Israel], the E3 statement impudently requires Iran not to respond to a violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity."

He added that Iran is set on deterring Israel - and called on France, German and the UK to "once and for all stand up against the war in Gaza and the warmongering of Israel".

Read more about the UK-Iran call in the piece by political reporter Faye Brown below:

The Office for National Statistics has just released its latest figures on the UK jobs market.

According to the body, the rate of unemployment in the UK was 4.2% in the three months to June - down from 4.4% in the preceding period.

The average increase in wages also fell, hitting 5.4% - the lowest level since summer 2022.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves said: "Today's figures show there is more to do in supporting people into employment because if you can work, you should work.

"This will be part of my budget later in the year, where I will be making difficult decisions on spending, welfare and tax to fix the foundations of our economy so we can rebuild Britain and make every part of our country better off."

Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall said the figures show "yet more evidence of the dire inheritance we face".

Read more about the data in our story below by business reporter Sarah Taaffe-Maguire:

Tom Tugendhat is giving his first major speech of the Tory leadership campaign this afternoon.

The former solider and ex-security minister is going to focus on law and order in his address.

He is one of six contenders to take over from Rishi Sunak - with the contest running until November.

For a reminder of who else is running to replace Rishi Sunak, read this handy guide from our political reporters Tim Baker and Alix Culbertson:

The race to replace Rishi Sunak as Tory leader is still wending its way towards a conclusion in November.

Tom Tugendhat, the former security minister, is giving his first major speech of the campaign this afternoon.

The former soldier is set to focus on law and order in the address - and will criticise both Sir Keir Starmer and Nigel Farage.

He will accuse the prime minister of a "failure of leadership" during the recent riots, while criticising the Reform UK leader for "reckless political rhetoric".

Mr Tugendhat will also call for a harsher response to protesters and riots, saying: "Once lost, public order can be difficult to regain, which is why the police response to disorder must always be swift and determined.

"For officers on the streets, policing a violent crowd is a dangerous job.

"We sometimes hear of the need to go softly, softly, and to make arrests later.

"But visible lawlessness encourages others to join in and commit crime.

"Once people cross the line, they need to be met with uncompromising force."

Welcome back to the Politics Hub.

With parliament still in recess, things are fairly quiet in Westminster.

However, today's revelations about the Nottingham killer will surely raise questions in political circles.

And eyes will also be on the two major conflicts at the moment; Ukraine's counter-offensive against Russia and the heightened tensions in the Middle East.

Alistair Burt, the former Tory MP and ex-Middle East minister, will be speaking to us at 7.30am.

And Sir William Patey, the former British ambassador to Iraq, Sudan, Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan will be on at 8.30am.

We're bringing the Politics Hub to a close for the evening.

If you're looking for a catch-up on the main things you need to know, scroll back to our 5pm bulletin.

We'll be back tomorrow morning - stay cool out there!

We've just had a statement from the US, the UK, France, Germany, and Italy about the situation in the Middle East.

It comes after leaders of the five countries held talks today ahead of a possible attack on Israel by Iran (see previous post).

The statement says the allies "expressed our full support to de-escalate tensions and reach a ceasefire and hostage release deal in Gaza".

Talks brokered by the US, Qatar, and Egypt are due on Thursday.

The leaders say urgent aid is needed in Gaza, where tens of thousands of Palestinians have been killed since October.

Israeli hostages held by Hamas must also be released.

On the threat of an Iranian attack (an expected retaliation for the assassination of a Hamas commander in Tehran last month), the statement reiterated "support for the defence of Israel".

"We called on Iran to stand down its ongoing threats of a military attack against Israel and discussed the serious consequences for regional security should such an attack take place," it added.

Joe Biden has held talks with Sir Keir Starmer about the crisis in the Middle East amid fears of an Iranian attack on Israel.

The White House said the president had spoken with the prime minister and the leaders of France, Germany, and Italy to discuss the situation, which has been threatening to escalate since Israel's killing of a senior Hamas commander in Iran last month.

The US believes an Iranian attack could come as soon as this week, though has deployed a military submarine to the area in a bid to deter it.

When Tehran launched missiles and drones at Israel back in April, the UK and France helped provide military support in intercepting them.

Ceasefire talks still to come

It follows 10 months of fighting between Israel and Hamas.

The White House said Mr Biden spoke with the UK and European leaders about hopes of a ceasefire in Gaza, where tens of thousands of Palestinians have been killed since October.

A number of Israeli hostages are also still being held by Hamas.

Further talks on a possible deal - brokered by the US, Qatar, and Egypt - are due to take place on Thursday.

Earlier, a joint statement from Sir Keir, France's Emmanuel Macron, and Germany's Olaf Scholz warned an Iranian attack on Israel would risk escalating the conflict.

By Mollie Malone, news correspondent

The prison service is beginning to feel the impact of the UK riots amid the capacity crisis in jails across England and Wales, Sky News understands.

It's understood in the last 24 hours, police put around 400 people on court lists, with many being remanded.

The service has less than 700 free spaces available in the male estate. It considers itself in "operational trouble" if they have any fewer than 300.

The government has promised more than 500 new cells to accommodate those being sentenced following rioting in recent weeks.

Police chiefs said more than 975 arrests have been made, and 546 charges brought, since 29 July.

Impact of riots 'may take weeks to peak'

The Prison Governors Association has written a letter to its members, shared with Sky News, condemning the violence but expressing concern over the impact on an already crippling criminal justice system.

"The impact of this surge may take days or weeks to peak," they said.

Sky News has contacted the Ministry of Justice for comment.

Team GB returned from the Paris Olympics today - and Tom Daley announced his retirement.

He won his fifth Olympic medal in France (silver) - having won bronzes in London and Rio de Janeiro, plus a gold and a bronze in Tokyo, making him Britain's most decorated diver ever.

The prime minister has now honoured that legacy.

"An incredible athlete and Olympian," said Sir Keir Starmer, offering his congratulations "for inspiring so many people".