Category: News Story

STORY

Two men have been found guilty in connection with arson attacks on properties linked to Keir Starmer. Roman Lavrynovych and Stanislav Carpiuc were convicted of conspiracy to commit arson following incidents involving a car and properties associated with the Prime Minister.

The attacks took place in May 2025 and included a vehicle previously owned by Starmer, a house in north London and another property linked to his family. Prosecutors said Lavrynovych had communicated through Telegram with a person using the alias El Money, although no national security charges were brought in the case.

A third man, Petro Pochynok, was acquitted. Sentencing is expected to take place later this week, with the case raising concerns about security threats directed at elected politicians and their families.

STORY

Credit rating agencies are assessing the potential fiscal implications of Andy Burnham’s political rise as the Greater Manchester mayor campaigns in the Makerfield by-election. The contest is being watched closely at Westminster because a Labour victory could return Burnham to Parliament and increase speculation about a future Labour leadership challenge.

Reuters reported that Moody’s, Fitch and S&P Global were considering the possible market implications of political instability and any future shift in fiscal policy. The agencies were reported as focusing on whether any change in Labour leadership would alter the Government’s approach to borrowing, investment and debt reduction.

Burnham has said he would maintain fiscal rules, while also arguing for a more interventionist approach to economic policy. The by-election is due to take place on 18 June and is seen as one of the most politically significant parliamentary contests of the year.

STORY

Keir Starmer has met German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the G7 summit in France, with Downing Street confirming that the meeting took place on 15 June. The meeting came as the UK Government sought to maintain close engagement with European allies on Ukraine, defence, energy and economic security. Germany remains one of the UK’s most important European partners, including on NATO, sanctions and wider diplomatic coordination.

The Government has not issued a detailed readout of the discussion beyond confirming the meeting. The talks formed part of a wider programme of bilateral and multilateral meetings during the G7 gathering.

STORY

The UK Government has announced a further package of sanctions against Russia as the Prime Minister attends the G7 summit in France. Downing Street said the measures were intended to increase pressure on Russia’s military, financial and energy networks as the war in Ukraine continues.

The Government said the new measures would target organisations and vessels linked to Russia’s so-called shadow fleet, as well as financial institutions and procurement networks accused of helping Moscow obtain technology for its war effort. The UK also said it would support Ukraine’s energy security, including through arrangements involving enriched uranium for the country’s nuclear power sector.

Keir Starmer said the package was part of the UK’s continued support for Ukraine and its efforts to work with allies to reduce Russia’s ability to fund the war. The announcement came as G7 leaders met to discuss Ukraine, sanctions enforcement, energy security and wider international instability.

STORY

The Solicitor General, Ellie Reeves, has referred the sentence of Vickrum Digwa to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme. Digwa was convicted of the murder of Henry Nowak and the Court of Appeal will now consider whether the sentence imposed should be increased.

The Attorney General’s Office said the referral followed a review by the Solicitor General, who has the power to ask the Court of Appeal to reconsider certain Crown Court sentences in England and Wales. The scheme allows sentences to be reviewed where they may be unduly lenient, including in cases involving murder, manslaughter and rape.

Reeves said the case had “horrified” her and said difficult questions needed to be answered about the way police handled Henry Nowak’s murder. She said her role was to review Digwa’s sentence and that, after careful consideration, she had decided to refer the case to the Court of Appeal.

STORY

The Court of Appeal has ruled that the Government’s decision to proscribe Palestine Action under terrorism legislation was lawful, overturning an earlier High Court judgment which had found the ban unlawful. The case concerned the Home Secretary’s decision to add the group to the list of proscribed organisations under the Terrorism Act 2000.

The Court of Appeal said the Home Secretary had been entitled to conclude that the group was not merely a non-violent protest organisation and that its activities involved covert operations and support for unlawful violence. The ruling means the proscription remains in force, making membership of, or support for, Palestine Action a criminal offence.

Palestine Action co-founder Huda Ammori has said the group intends to continue its legal challenge, including by seeking to take the case to the Supreme Court. The Home Office has welcomed the judgment, while civil liberties and human rights groups have criticised the use of counter-terrorism powers against a direct action group and warned of the implications for protest rights.

STORY

Peter Vowles has been appointed as the next British High Commissioner to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has announced. He will succeed Dr Richard Montgomery and is expected to take up the role in September 2026.

Vowles is currently HM Ambassador in Harare, a post he has held since 2023. He has previously served as HM Ambassador in Yangon and held senior roles in the former Department for International Development, including Director for Asia, the Caribbean and Overseas Territories, Country Director in Kenya and Deputy Country Director in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

His earlier career included development and health-related roles in Bangladesh, Afghanistan and India, as well as work with the World Bank, the National Health Service management training scheme and Raleigh International. The appointment places him in one of the UK’s most significant diplomatic postings in Africa, with Nigeria remaining a key partner for the UK on trade, development, security and regional affairs.

STORY

Roger Cook, the investigative journalist and former presenter of The Cook Report, has died at the age of 83 following a short illness. His family said he died in hospital surrounded by his wife, Frances, and daughter, Belinda.

Cook became one of British television’s best-known investigative reporters through The Cook Report, which ran on ITV from 1987 to 1999. The programme used undercover filming and direct confrontation to investigate criminality, fraud, corruption and organised crime, with subjects including drug trafficking, people smuggling, terrorism and the illegal ivory trade.

Before moving into television, Cook worked in radio and created the BBC Radio 4 investigative programme Checkpoint. He received a BAFTA special award in 1998 for his contribution to investigative reporting and later wrote about his career in Dangerous Ground. Tributes have described him as a significant figure in British current affairs broadcasting.

STORY

The White House has faced criticism after a UFC event held on the South Lawn was overshadowed by a derogatory remark made about former First Lady Michelle Obama. The incident happened during UFC Freedom 250, an event staged at the White House as part of celebrations linked to President Donald Trump’s 80th birthday and the 250th anniversary of American independence.

The controversy followed heavyweight fighter Josh Hokit’s victory over Derrick Lewis, when he used his post-fight interview to praise Trump before making a baseless slur about Michelle Obama. The remark drew international criticism from media outlets and political opponents, with the event already facing scrutiny over the decision to stage a professional cage-fighting card at the White House. The same event also featured Justin Gaethje defeating Ilia Topuria to win the UFC lightweight title.

Reports said Trump was ringside during the interview, while neither the White House nor UFC officials immediately issued a public rebuke of the comment. The incident added to wider criticism of the event, which had been promoted by supporters as a patriotic spectacle but condemned by critics as an inappropriate use of the White House setting for a heavily politicised sporting event.

STORY

MPs are due to debate NHS dentistry in the House of Commons as Parliament begins a new week of business. The debate was selected by the Backbench Business Committee and follows continuing concern over access to NHS dental care in England.

Parliamentary briefing material prepared for the debate says MPs are expected to consider patient access, the dental contract and the Government’s timetable for reform. Dental organisations have encouraged MPs to take part and to raise cases from their constituencies.

The debate comes during a week in which MPs are also expected to consider the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill and the National Security (State Threats) Bill. Ministers will face scrutiny across health, security and infrastructure policy as the Commons returns to its regular business.