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Politics LIVE: Tory and Labour MPs unite in FURY as BBC labels Hamas leader a ‘moderate’

todayAugust 1, 2024 4

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Tory and Labour MPs have united to criticise the BBC after the broadcaster described a top Hamas terrorist as “moderate” and “pragmatic”.

An article written after Ismail Haniyeh used the “disgraceful” description after the 61-year-old was killed during a visit to Iran.

It said: “Despite his tough rhetoric, he was generally seen by analysts as moderate and pragmatic, compared to the more hardline Gaza-based leaders.”

Responding to the description, Labour MP Mike Tapp told The Sun: “Ismail Haniyeh was a dedicated antisemite and the leader of a proscribed, genocidal terrorist group which on 7 October perpetrated the deadliest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust.

“To describe such an individual as ‘moderate and pragmatic’ is grotesque and an absolute disgrace.”

Tory Shadow Minister Greg Smith added: “It’s absolutely outrageous for the BBC to dare call a Hamas terror chief moderate.

“In what reality can the head of an organisation responsible for so much death, sexual violence and hate be called moderate?

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Interest rate cut brings boost for Labour as Tories ‘puzzled’ about Sunak’s July election decision

The Bank of England has handed Labour a boost by cutting interest rates for the first time since 2020.

Threadneedle Street slashed the rate from 5.25 per cent to five per cent.

Labour will hope the announcement positively impacts homeowners and alleviates the pressures felt throughout the cost-of-living crisis.

Rishi Sunak expressed his concern about Labour’s pay rises potentially resulting in a future spike.

“My concern now is that Labour’s inflation-busting public sector pay rises have put further cuts at risk,” he said.

However, the former Prime Minister faced questions about why he did not hold on to call a general election in the autumn.

A Tory activist said: “I agree, which makes it puzzling why you called a general election for July.

“People needed more time to see just how well the UK is doing compared to other countries.

“UK is the fastest growing economy in the G7, lower inflation than the US and EU zone and interest rate cuts.”

Starmer to hold emergency meeting with police chiefs after second night of violence plagues Britain

Sir Keir Starmer is set to hold an emergency meeting with senior police officers in Downing Street following violent scenes across England yesterday.

The Prime Minister will look to ease tensions after unrest in London, Hartlepool and Manchester.

Southport, where three children were killed in a brutal stabbing, also witnessed violence.

A 17-year-old boy was charged with the murders of the young girls.

More than 100 people were arrested in London as demonstrators lobbed beer cans and glass bottles at police.

A group of angry protesters chanted: “We want our country back.”

Eight people were also arrested in Hartlepool, Cleveland Police has confirmed.

Starmer is expected to praise officers for their “bravery” in dealing with the incident in Southport and its aftermath.

He will also encourage them to use their powers to “stop mindless violence in its tracks”.

Badenoch loses crown! Jenrick emerges as new Tory leadership frontrunner

Robert Jenrick has overtaken Kemi Badenoch as the bookies’ favourite for Tory leader.

William Hill slashed the former Immigration Minister’s odds from 13/8 to 9/4.

Badenoch, who was seen as the favourite to succeed Rishi Sunak well-before the 2024 General Election, saw her odds drift out from 6/4 to 2/1.

Tom Tugendhat is in third place on 9/2, James Cleverly is fourth on 7/1, Dame Priti Patel is in fifth on 10/1 and Mel Stride is in sixth on 16/1.

GPs to strike for first time since 1964

GPs across England have voted to strike for the first time since 1964, in what could be a major test for the new Labour Government.

Members of the BMA voted overwhelmingly in favour of taking collective action in a ballot this morning.

The group is the first of unionised public sector workers to announce strike action since the July 4 election.

‘Hang your head in shame!’ Lee Anderson demands Rachel Reeves’s resignation after Labour tax rises: ‘Lied through their teeth’

Reform UK MP Lee Anderson says Chancellor Rachel Reeves should resign after she admitted some taxes will be raised in October.

The government has said it will have to increase taxes in the next Budget to plug a £22bn “hole” in the public finances.

Speaking to Mark Dolan, Lee hit out at Reeves and said Labour have already u-turned on a cornerstone manifesto pledge.

“It’s just lies. 14 years of getting ready for government, they have been banging on about austerity and tax and three weeks after being elected, what have they done?”, he asked.

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Cleverly warns Tories need to get ‘act together’ amid Labour tax rise threat

James Cleverly has warned the Tories need to get their “act together” amid concern Labour will hike taxes.

The former Home Secretary, who is standing to succeed Rishi Sunak as Conservative Party leader, said: “We said that Labour would raise taxes. Labour said they wouldn’t. We lost the election (our fault). Now Labour say they will raise taxes.

“[The Conservatives] need to get our act together, hold Labour to account and protect the British people from this Government.”

Starmer fears Badenoch the most, Labour bigwig claims

Sir Keir Starmer fears Kemi Badenoch more than any other Tory leadership hopeful, Labour Lord Peter Mandelson has claimed.

The Labour grandee, who voices much support for the Prime Minister, claimed the ex-Business Secretary’s readiness to call out “wokery” sets her apart from her leadership rivals.

Mandelson said: “She is not afraid to speak her mind (although an occasional filter might be handy) or to call out the sort of ‘wokery’ many voters dislike. I noticed my companions turning in her direction.”

However, the former European Commissioner for Trade also warned Tory fortunes could get even worse.

He wrote: “Next time, when people have got used to a Labour Government and grown to like Keir Starmer’s unpretentious style, his current vote-share may turn into a floor rather than a ceiling.

“Conservatives should not assume that things cannot get worse for them.”

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