The President of Cyprus has suggested he is going to have an "open and frank discussion" with Westminster over the future of British bases on the island.
President Nikos Christodoulides had previously suggested the presence of British bases in Cyprus are something that is a "colonial consequence" following protests from Cypriots.
An Iranian drone struck RAF Akrotiri on Sunday, hitting a hangar typically housing US surveillance aircraft.
Speaking at this week's European Council summit in Brussels, President Christodoulides said: "The British bases in Cyprus are something that is a colonial consequence...We have more than 10,000 Cypriot citizens within the British bases.
"We have a responsibility to those people, and when the situation in the Middle East, we are going to have an open and frank discussion with the British government."
When pressed if he wishes for the bases to be "gone", he said: "We have a clear approach with regard to the future of the British bases."
He added: "I am sure that you understand that I am not going to negotiate in public".
The main opposition party in Cyrpus, Akel, has demanded the bases to be closed down, with leader Stefanos Stefanou telling local media: "The challenge now is to make it clear at every opportunity that Cyprus is not and does not want to become a war base".
Liberal Democrat MP Al Pinkerton had pressed John Healey about the issue in the Commons, asking the Defence Secretary: "There has been growing disquiet within Cyprus, within the Cypriot community, about the continuing existence of the sovereign base areas.
"Given the absolute necessity of this defence relationship between the United Kingdom and Cyprus, could the minister update the House about the Secretary of State’s visit to Cyprus earlier this month?"
Mr Healey responded saying: "Our sovereign base in Cyprus isn’t in question. When the Secretary of State for Defence visited Cyprus, the Cypriot National Guard reaffirmed that our relationship is closer now than ever before."
Britain to 'step up' allied support in Middle East conflict says Defence Secretary
Britain will “step up” defensive support for Gulf states after Iran attacked energy sites across the region in a “serious escalation” of the war, the Defence Secretary has said.
John Healey said Tehran’s attacks overnight threatened to further destabilise the region as he reiterated the Government’s call for de-escalation.
Following an Israeli strike on its main natural gas field, Iran hit multiple energy sites across the Gulf last night, including a Saudi oil refinery, Qatari gas facilities and two more oil refineries in Kuwait.
'I don't need to have a babysitter', says John Swinney as Iran crisis meeting cancelled
John Swinney has voiced his concerns | GETTYScotland’s First Minister has claimed a security briefing he was due to have on the Middle East conflict was “cancelled” as a member of Sir Keir Starmer’s Government was not available to attend as a “babysitter”.
John Swinney said he had been expecting to speak to the deputy national security adviser on Thursday morning, but the briefing was pushed back by the UK Government.
He said he himself had been “available to do the briefing”, but told journalists there was a “suggestion that that briefing can only take place if the Secretary of State for Scotland is present”.
Mr Swinney - who as part of his role is included in the Privy Council - branded that position “unacceptable”.
He said: “I am the First Minister of Scotland and I am a member of the Privy Council. I can handle sensitive information, and I don’t need to have a babysitter in the form of Douglas Alexander.”
House of Lords vote to block pension reform powers
The House of Lords has voted to block ministers gaining the power to direct how pension savings are invested.
The Pension Schemes Bill, which just concluded its report stage in the Lords, aims to increase benefits for members of defined contribution (DC) schemes by providing them with more information about their pensions and retirement options, consolidating savings pots and securing better returns.
When it came to the upper chamber, the legislation included a reserve power that would force pension schemes to invest in productive assets meant to benefit the UK economy.
However, Liberal Democrat peer Baroness Bowles of Berkhamsted tabled a series of amendments to the Bill that would strip this power from it.
Peers supported by 217 votes to 113, majority 104, a consequential amendment to remove the power allowing Government to mandate asset allocations for workplace pension savers.
However, MPs will have the opportunity to reinstate this measure when it comes back to the Commons in a parliamentary process known as ping-pong.
Election postponement powers could be stripped from Whitehall if new bid is approved
Whitehall could be stripped of its power to postpone local elections if a peer’s bid is supported.
A proposal to take away the Government’s ability to delay town hall ballots is to be debated in the Lords as part of proposed changes to English local government.
Lord Pack, who put forward the proposal to curb ministers’ power, said: “We need those safeguards because the holding of elections is so fundamental to democracy".
The Government can currently postpone local elections by using secondary legislation known as an order.
In February, it used an order to postpone 30 polls as part of a wider reorganisation of councils in England, later turned over by a government U-turn following criticism of revoking voters rights.
PM condemns Iran's overnight attacks on Qatari energy facilities
Keir Starmer released an announcement video on TikTok | REUTERSSir Keir Starmer has condemned Iranian attacks on Qatari energy facilities in a call with Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.
In a readout of the conversation on Thursday afternoon, a Downing Street spokesman said: “The Prime Minister began by condemning the Iranian strikes on Qatari energy facilities overnight.
"He said that such reckless attacks on critical infrastructure risk pushing the region further into crisis and worsening the severe economic impacts being felt globally, including in the UK.
“Discussing the ongoing defensive support the UK is providing to our partners in the region, the Prime Minister was clear that the UK would continue to stand with Qatar and all our allies in the Gulf.
“The leaders agreed that the immediate priority must be de-escalation and that they would stay in close touch in the coming days and weeks".
Nigel Farage says UK is 'too weak and puny' to further involvement in Middle East conflict
The UK is “too weak and puny” to get involved in the Iran war “even if we wanted to”, Nigel Farage has said.
He said: “We don’t have to join the offensive. I mean, how could we? It’s now 19 days since a sovereign base was attacked in Cyprus, and not a single Royal Naval Vessel has yet arrived.
“So we should support them (America). I’m not suggesting getting involved in the war - we’re too weak and puny, even if we wanted to, but if we cast America off completely, our islands are defenceless. That is the point I’m making".
The party leader was criticised for U-turning on his stance on the conflict, having originally urged the Prime Minister to do more to support allies in the region.
UK partners with Nigeria to speed up removals of 'those with no right to be here'
Visa overstayers, foreign criminals and failed asylum seekers will be removed from British soil far more easily under a new agreement struck this week during the State Visit of Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu.
UK Letters, an alternative identification document issued to individuals without a valid passport and used to support the return of people with no right to remain in the UK, will be recognised by the Nigerian Government for the first time.
The agreement, reached between the Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, and Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, removes one of the major administrative hurdles to returning people, meaning the UK will no longer have to wait for emergency travel documents to be issued by Nigeria.
The new deal adds to the sweeping reforms the Home Secretary has made to the UK immigration system to secure the UK’s borders and remove incentives attracting illegal migrants to Britain.
Minister for Border Security and Asylum Alex Norris said: “Anyone who abuses our systems, breaks our laws or tries to cheat their way into Britain will be stopped and removed.
“Today’s agreement is another step in our mission to restore order to the border by ensuring those who have no right to be here are swiftly removed.
“Nigeria is a key partner in our work to tackle illegal migration, as the UK’s largest African visa market and home to thousands of Nigerians who have built their lives here. We owe everyone across the system fairness".
Reform UK leader calls to ban all mass religious prayer
All mass religious observances should be banned, Nigel Farage has said, after the prayer of Muslims at Trafalgar Square.
Asked if that included Jewish or Catholic observances, he said: “I’ve never seen Jewish services taking place in places of historic Christian worship or anywhere else.
“We have to get this right. We can’t stop individuals from praying, we wouldn’t want to stop individuals praying, but mass prayer is banned, mass Muslim prayer is banned, in many Muslim countries in the Middle East itself.
“So yes, we have to stop this kind of mass demonstration, provocative demonstration, in historic British sites, because that’s what it is.”
He described the mass prayer at Trafalgar Square as “an attempt to overtake, intimidate and dominate our way of life”.
Mr Farage said the event was a “shock”, and that Reform UK “would not put up with this”.
He told members in Scotland: “We will as a party stand firm for the Judeo-Christian principles upon which our nation was built".
Nigel Farage claims Scottish politics has been 'hostile'
Nigel Farage said Scottish politics has been 'hostile' in the past
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Nigel Farage has said politics in Scotland has been "very hostile" in the past.
The Reform leader said: "We have to offer young people in Scotland hope. The belief that going on benefits is not the way forward.
"The belief that learning proper trade and skills for the age of 16 is the way for so many to succeed but only we can only do that by reindustrialising.
"Scottish politics up until this point has been very hostile to any other voice. They may go on being hostile to any other voice but now they cannot stop us. "
Nigel Farage accuses the SNP of 'closing down' the North Sea
Nigel Farage said the SNP has "closed down" the North Sea as he took aim at the SNP.
The Reform leader said: "We have seen an SNP under Alex Salmond, who recognised that oil was a very important strategic asset for Scotland.
"However, they now believe Chinese made wind turbines will solve Scotland's future.
"We have closed down the North Sea and given ourselves the highest industrial energy prices in the world, and you wonder why the country is de-industrialising."
Nigel Farage interrupted by heckler
A heckler had to be escorted out of the room as Nigel Farage started to speak.
The Reform UK leader said "You need a haircut mate" as the man was taken out of the room in Renfrewshire, adding: "Go back to work, no sorry you haven't got a job".
Reform's leader in Scotland confirms he will stand to be Scottish First Minister
The leader of Reform UK Scotland has told a party event he is standing to be the country’s first minister at the Holyrood election.
Lord Malcolm Offord, a millionaire businessman, said he wanted to use the "drive and ambition" he had in his personal life to make Scotland a success.
He told the conference in Renfrewshire: "Scotland, I believe, is underperforming and I feel that it is incumbent upon us to change that and it’s time now for Reform UK in Scotland to unleash Scotland’s potential."
WATCH: GB News star Patrick Christys speaks to Leeds butchers and receives damning verdict on Rachel Reeves's chancellorship
Protester heckles Reform UK manifesto launch calling Nigel Farage's party 'the enemy of working class people'
Officers were forced to intervene after activists unfurled a banner outside the Reform UK Scotland manifesto launch saying "f**k Farage, f**k fascist Reform UK" and "no to fascism in Scotland".
The protesters shouted that Reform UK was "the enemy of working class people in Scotland."
One of them also shouted "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free".
Reform would 'restore law and order' in Scotland, Sarah Pochin claims
Runcorn and Helsby MP Sarah Pochin announced the plans at Reform's Holyrood election launch
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A Reform UK Scottish government would "restore law and order" in Scotland, Sarah Pochin has pledged.
Speaking as the party announces its candidates and manifesto for the Holyrood election, the Reform MP for Runcorn and Helsby attacked the SNP’s record on crime.
She said: "Reform will put police back on Scottish streets. Reform will stop the early release of prisoners and there will be no legalising of drugs, of heroin, under a Reform government.”
She said Reform would detain and deport all illegal immigrants in Scotland.
Reform UK would cut MSPs if they won Holyrood election
Reform has proposed cutting the number of MSPs and quangos in its manifesto ahead of May’s Holyrood election.
Party members in Scotland met today to announce its candidates and launch its policy platform at a country club in Renfrewshire.
Among its policy pledges is a promise to reduce the number of members of the Scottish Parliament by cutting the number of constituencies from 73 to 57.
The 27-page document unveiled at the party’s conference also suggests a Reform government in Scotland would "shut down the quangos and return their powers to democratically-elected ministers supported by the civil service".
Yvette Cooper insists the UK will remain a ‘major player’ on aid despite cuts
Yvette Cooper said there would be cuts to funding on foreign aid
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Yvette Cooper has said the UK will remain a "major player" in overseas aid despite widespread cuts to funding.
The Foreign Secretary told MPs hard choices were required when deciding on allocations, but insisted a new approach recognising the need for "partnership not paternalism" would be effective and maintain the UK’s global "leadership".
In a statement to the Commons, Ms Cooper said: "Allocating a reduced budget inevitably leads to hard choices and unavoidable trade-offs. So we’re focusing aid on the people and places that need it most, and we will still be a major player, and expect to be the fifth biggest funder in the world.
"We will still use international leadership, such as our 2027 G20 presidency, to shape the global agenda for development and we will continue to use our other policies and levers so that lower-income countries benefit from trade and growth, and tackling flows of illicit finance and dirty money, which harm developing countries most and fuel crime on everyone’s streets.
"This modernised approach to international development and our allocation of ODA (official development assistance) reflects our values and our interests, because our driving force has been, and continues to be, working for a world free from extreme poverty, on a liveable planet."
Keir Starmer condemns Iranian attacks on energy infrastructure in joint statement
Sir Keir Starmer has condemned "in the strongest terms" Iranian attacks on shipping and oil and gas facilities in the Gulf.
The Prime Minister made the announcement in a joint statement with the leaders of France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Japan.
Wes Streeting confirms he is expanding Meningitis vaccine rollout
Wes Streeting confirms he is expanding menB rollout
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Health Secretary Wes Streeting said he would be expanding menB vaccines to more people in Kent.
He said: "We are now encouraging anyone who attended Club Chemistry from March 5 until it voluntarily closed to come forward for both antibiotics and vaccination.
"Furthermore, we’re expanding vaccination to anyone who’s previously been offered the prophylactic antibiotic.
"That will include a large number of students here at the University of Kent. And it will include some students at Canterbury Christchurch University.
"It will also includes sixth-formers at four schools, where there are known or suspected cases. These are proportionate steps to help us contain spread and we’re keeping that situation under review."
Reform chairman insists party would keep NHS 'free at the point of need'
Reform chairman Dr David Bull says a Reform administration in Scotland would keep the NHS "free at the point of need."
He said: "Labour and the SNP are resorting to desperate tactics because they know they are in trouble.
"They keep turning to us and accusing Reform of wanting to privatise the NHS, repeatedly. Well, I am a medical doctor, I also wrote our health policy.
"I want to be clear to you. This is a blatant lie. Under a Reform administration in Scotland the NHS will continue to remain free at the point of need and that is what the Scottish people want."
Reform UK chairman launches party's Holyrood campaign
Reform UK Chair Dr David Bull speaking in Renfrewshire
Dr David Bull is launching Reform UK's campaign for the upcoming Holyrood elections in Bishopton, Renfrewshire.
The Reform UK chair said: "After 19 years of SNP failure, Scotland faces some very serious problems indeed. Scotland should be a monumental powerhouse.
"Scotland faces crises on multiple fronts. Scotland has the lowest life expectancy of all UK nation. That is very sobering.
"A significant proportion live in poverty, which is unacceptable. Scotland has one of the highest death rates from alcohol in the UK. As a medic, I know all too well drug deaths here in Scotland are the highest in Europe."
Bank of England votes to keep base rate at 3.75% as US-Iran war causes 'uncertain global backdrop'
The Bank of England has voted to keep the UK's base rate at 3.75 per cent as the ongoing war between the US-Iran war causes an "uncertain global backdrop" for the markets.
Prior to President Donald Trump and Israel's decision to launch military action against the Islamic Republic, markets had priced in at least two rate cuts from the central bank in 2026.
In recent years, the Bank's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has opted to raise the cost of borrowing to as high as 5.25 per cent in an effort to bring down the consumer price index (CPI) inflation.
Our Personal Finance reporter Patrick O'Donnell has the full story here.
Keir Starmer scrambles to deny migration U-turn rumours amid left-wing fury
A spokesman for the Prime Minister doubled down on the reforms | GETTYSir Keir Starmer has quickly downplayed rumours of a U-turn on flagship migration proposals.
The Prime Minister's spokesman had initially refused to confirm if the Government would go ahead with Shabana Mahmood's plans to increase the time it takes for migrants already in the UK to qualify for permanent settlement.
However, a spokesman for the Prime Minister said Downing Street's "position has not changed" on immigration reform.
Wes Streeting visits University of Kent amid meningitis outbreak
Health Secretary Wes Streeting has visited the University of Kent following the outbreak of meningitis.
The Cabinet member visited the sport centre this morning where hundreds of students have queued up to receive vaccines and collect antibiotics.
During the visit, Mr Streeting walked around the sports hall where he met staff and students.
Kemi Badenoch tells GB News 'I do not care what Nigel Farage thinks'
Kemi Badenoch launched the Conservative Party's local election campaign
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Kemi Badenoch has slammed Reform UK as she said the Conservative Party is "coming back".
When asked by GB News about Nigel Farage's comment that the local elections would mark "the end of the Conservative Party for good", Ms Badenoch said: "I want this to be very clear. I do not care what Nigel Farage thinks."
Her comment was met with cheers from party supporters stood behind her.
She continued: "He can say whatever he likes, we believe in free speech in this country. However, we are here to deliver a message and that is the Conservative party is coming back."
Kemi Badenoch issues swipe at the other party leaders as she said 'not everybody is going to like these plans'
Kemi Badenoch took aim at the other leaders
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Kemi Badenoch has taken aim at the other major party leaders as she said the Conservatives did not want to "please everyone all time time."
She said: "Not everyone is going to like these plans, and that's ok.
"Some people want more benefits with Labour. Some people want nationalisation with Nigel Farage, some people want bigger boobs with Zack Polanski. That's fine if that's what they want.
"We've got a better offer. We offer a better future for those who want jobs and opportunity, that's who the Conservatives are for. But we can only fix things if we are clear about what we want."
She continued: "The Lib Dems can’t stand still for five minutes without breaking into a conga. The Greens say yes to crack pipes, but no to Nato.
"Look at what Reform have done at Kent County Council. They came in with a new Doge team promising to cut people’s council tax, only to find out that the Conservatives had already made the savings.
"There’s war in the Middle East pushing up prices and threatening our economy, British servicemen and women are already involved, yet Reform can’t even be bothered to appoint a Foreign Affairs or a Defence spokesman."
Kemi Badenoch pledges to 'take back our streets' as she lays out policing reforms
Kemi Badenoch has pledged to hire 10,000 new police officers as she laid out the Conservative Party's plans for justice reforms.
She said: "I have got a message for shoplifters, phone thieves and violent thugs, your days of getting off scot free are numbered.
"We will mandate the police to stop e-bikes being ridden on our pavement and we will tell police that they must stop drugs being smoked openly in public places.
"Our new immediate justice centres would see criminals clean up the mess they make in our parks immediately.
"It is time to put the rights of ordinary people ahead of the small minority making life a misery for everyone else."
Kemi Badenoch says the Conservatives are 'renewed' as she launches local elections campaign
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said the Conservatives are a "party renewed" as she launched the party's local election campaign in central London.
The Tory leader said: "Seven weeks today, people up and down the country are going to be given a choice.
"They can choose to vote for one of many parties in Britain whinging on and on about what's gone wrong.
"Or they can vote for a party that will actually fix things. They can vote for a new Conservative Party under new leadership, the only party with a plan to make life better for where you live."
WATCH: Stephen Dixon puts Conservative Party Chairman Kevin Hollinrake on the spot over his party's stance on sending a warship to the Strait of Hormuz to support the US
Tory chairman reinforces support for Shadow Justice Secretary over Muslim post
The Conservative Party chair said it was "complete nonsense" to suggest his party had a problem with Muslims, as Sir Keir Starmer told the Commons yesterday.
Kevin Hollinrake said his party believes in freedom of speech and religion after Shadow Justice Secretary Nick Timothy was referring to an Open Iftar event held in Trafalgar Square which he claimed was not "welcome in our public places."
Mr Hollinrake said: "We think it was the wrong thing to do. This was an exclusive event. This was ticket only in a central London location. This wasn’t a performance, it was a prayer.
"So...for those reasons, we think this is the wrong thing to do. That’s not to say for any second, for a second, that we don’t support moderate Muslims observing their faith in mosques up and down the country.
“We believe in freedom of speech, also freedom of religion, as a core part of what the Conservatives believe in, but doing that in that kind of location.
"Why was that kind of location where it’s that area that’s exclusively reserved for that purpose, as it wasn’t a performance? We think that was wrong, and that’s what Nick said."
'The state pension is outdated and unfair. From April, that will all change', writes Torsten Bell
Labour Minister Torsten Bell laid out plans for reforms to British pension system, calling the current method "outdated and unfair".
Writing exclusively for GB News members, Mr Bell said: "Access to the State Pension needs to be fair.
"The last government allowed some people living abroad, with little link to the UK, to build up entitlement on the cheap, sometimes paying as little as £182 a year in voluntary National Insurance to rack up pension rights after living in the UK for just three years.
"So we’re changing the rules from April."
GB News members can read the full announcement from the Pensions Minister here.
Labour minister says tariffs on steel are 'not very Donald Trump'
The UK’s plan for tariffs on steel coming into the UK is "not very Donald Trump", according to a Labour minister.
The plans to boost domestic production of steel will mean that, from July, overall quota levels for steel imports will be reduced by 60 per cent compared to current arrangements, and steel coming into the UK above these levels will be subject to a 50 per cent tariff.
Trade minister Chris Bryant told Sky News: "It’s not very Donald Trump. It’s very, very specific.
"Look, I believe I’m passionate about free trade, but it has to be fair trade.
"If you’ve got artificially low prices, completely pricing us out of the market, pricing British Steel out of the market, that is a problem for us because we need to have a sovereign capacity of steel in the UK."
WATCH: Unite leader Sharon Graham speaks to GB News after declaring she will join Birmingham bin strikes
A top union boss handed Labour a stark warning before joining a major rally led by Birmingham bin workers this morning.
Unite's General Secretary Sharon Graham vowed she would join the refuse collectors, who have been striking for over a year against the city council's decision to cut their pay, while suggesting she would seek disaffiliation with Labour entirely.
The union, historically one of Labour's highest donors, has slammed Sir Keir Starmer's party for dragging its feet on paying the bin workers.
Conservative Party chair says it was 'wrong' for Labour to prevent US from using shared bases to attack Iran
Kevin Hollinrake has told GB News with was "wrong" for Labour to prevent the US from using shared bases with the UK as part of their war on Iran.
The Conservative chair said: "To stop the US, our ally from using the bases, was wrong. We have never advocated joining those actions in terms of that unilateral bombing of Iran and now Lebanon.
"So to be clear, yes, the US should be able to use our shared bases. No, we would never advocate UK planes and missiles hitting that region."
Conservative Party chair calls on Labour to suspend plans to raise fuel duty
The Conservative Party Chair has called on Labour to suspend plans to increase fuel duty as he prepared to launch the party's local election campaign.
British gas prices have surged by more than 20 per cent this morning as the US-Iran war continues to rage on in the Middle East.
Kevin Hollinrake told GB News: "[The war in Iran] does impact us there's no doubt about it but I don't believe its out of our control. The Government can act now.
"We have put together a cheap energy plan that takes 20 per cent of energy prices by cutting things like green levies.
"We have said the Government should not go ahead with plans to increase fuel duty. The Government could ask oil and gas industry to start pumping oil and gas from the North sea as soon as Autumn."
Lords vote to pardon women convicted of having an illegal abortion
The House of Lords has backed a move to pardon women who have been convicted of having an illegal abortion.
The amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill would also apply to women who were cautioned and would remove the women’s details from police systems, regardless of the outcome of the case.
It comes after a landmark move by MPs in June last year to decriminalise women terminating their own pregnancy.
Labour MP for Gower Tonia Antoniazzi, who brought forward the amendment, said she had been moved after seeing women investigated by police over suspected illegal abortions.
Labour’s former health minister Baroness Thornton told peers there are women who have been convicted, and more who were investigated but not convicted, who have to permanently disclose this in a DBS check, because abortion offences are classed as violent crimes.
The upper chamber supported by 180 votes to 58, a majority of 122, to support Lady Thornton’s amendment to pardon those women.
WATCH: Oscar Reddrop warns Angela Rayner could be ready to oust Keir Starmer BEFORE May
Pat McFadden says unemployment figures are 'encouraging'
The Work and Pensions Secretary has said the latest unemployment figures are "encouraging" but Labour must do more to get people into work.
Pat McFadden said: "Today’s figures show there are 388,000 more people in work than there was this time last year. While this is encouraging, we know there is more to do to get people, particularly young people, into work.
"That’s why we’re investing £2.5billion to create up to 500,000 opportunities for young people to earn or learn, transform the welfare state into a working state, including a new £3,000 youth jobs grant for businesses who take on eligible young people and expanding the jobs guarantee to cover 18 to 24-year-olds.
"We’re also delivering the biggest reforms to apprenticeships in a decade, giving employers more flexibility and expanding foundation apprenticeships into the hospitality and retail sectors."
France faces fury after 'disgracefully' withholding information on meningitis outbreak for 48 hours
Sir Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron
| N/CFrance has been hit with a wave of fury from Britain after Emmanuel Macron was accused of "disgracefully" withholding key information on the outbreak of meningitis for 48 hours.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting told MPs that the French authorities had informed the UK Health Security Agency of a case of the infectious disease on March 14.
However, officials in Paris had been aware of the case detected in an exchange student from the University of Kent on March 12.
Reform UK's home affairs spokesman Zia Yusuf led the charge against France, comparing the situation to the ongoing small boats crisis.
Our assistant news editor Jack Walters has the full story here.
Union chief says workers up and down the country are 'scratching their heads' at Labour
The chief of Britain's biggest union has told GB News workers across the country are "scratching their heads" at Labour's actions in Government.
Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham told The People's Channel: "Labour is supposed to be in government for the working class to make sure they put those people at the front of the queue.
"Labour have not done that in many ways. The winter fuel allowance was the first step and that's led us to here in Birmingham."
Here's what's happening today in Westminster and beyond
Good Morning, and happy Thursday from all of us on the GB News Politics team. Here's what's happening today in Westminster and beyond.
The UK's unemployment rate has just been announced by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Our money reporter Patrick O'Donnell has the full story here.
Ministers will be looking to the Middle East as Israel and the US strikes on Iran ramp up. Overnight, Tehran hit the Qatari Ras Laffan liquified natural gas plant in retaliation for the strike on its own gas field.
Solicitor General Ellie Reeves will be answering questions in the Commons from 10am about the importance of international law to Britain’s positioning on the conflict.
There is also set to be a general debate on progress in tackling climate change led by Labour MP for Basingstoke Luke Murphy and a debate on a motion on tackling online harms led by Lib Dem MP for St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire Ian Sollom.
All eyes will be on Kent as the chief scientific officer of the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has said the number of confirmed cases of meningitis in the outbreak is likely to increase.
Meanwhile, Reform UK is launching its Scottish manifesto with the party's leader north of the border Malcolm Offord holding a press conference alongside Nigel Farage. We'll bring you the updates here from noon.
Here on GB News, we'll be joined by Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham and Conservative Party Chair Kevin Hollinrake.
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