Guardian UK Politics
Ditched government projects lost taxpayer £6.6bn last year, watchdog says
The UK government wrote off £6.6bn in taxpayer money last year through cancelled or failed projects, according to the Public Accounts Committee. The Ministry of Defence was identified as the most wasteful department, alongside high-profile schemes such as the scrapped Rwanda deportation plan and the abandoned Stonehenge tunnel. The findings raise serious questions about project oversight and accountability across Whitehall.
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Healey asks Farage if any of £5m gift may have come from Russia-linked profits
Nigel Farage is facing pointed questions from Defence Secretary John Healey over the origins of a £5 million gift from a billionaire donor, with Healey demanding clarity on whether any funds may be linked to Russia-connected profits. The letter also raises whether the donor's company benefited financially from the Iran war, which Farage initially supported. The scrutiny adds to mounting pressure on the Reform leader over his financial ties and their potential implications for national security.
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Green party candidate for Makerfield byelection quits after just nine hours
The Green Party's candidate for the Makerfield byelection lasted just nine hours on the ballot before withdrawing, after social media posts surfaced in which Chris Kennedy had commented on an attack on Jewish ambulances. The party issued an apology for the posts while attributing Kennedy's withdrawal to personal and family reasons. The swift exit deals an embarrassing blow to the Greens ahead of a high-profile contest.
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Teenagers’ non-custodial sentences for rape under review, UK government says
Three teenage boys in Hampshire who received non-custodial sentences for raping two girls are now subject to an urgent government review following widespread outcry. Former safeguarding minister Jess Phillips condemned the youth rehabilitation orders as "unduly lenient," warning they send the wrong message about how seriously the justice system treats sexual violence. The Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme allows the Attorney General to refer cases to the Court of Appeal for tougher penalties within 28 days of sentencing.
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Community cafe demands apology from Farage for ‘intimidating’ uninvited visit
Nigel Farage is facing calls to apologise after he and his Reform UK entourage made an unannounced visit to a community cafe in Makerfield that supports people with special needs, arriving mid-celebration event. The cafe's founder described the visit as "intimidating and overwhelming," with the group allegedly filming and photographing without permission. The incident has drawn sharp criticism, raising questions about the conduct of political campaigning in vulnerable community spaces.
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