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  • PRESS RELEASE : Action on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict is strengthened as new Special Envoy Appointed [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Action on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict is strengthened as new Special Envoy Appointed [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 19 June 2026.

    Chris Elmore MP has been appointed as the UK Special Envoy on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict.

    • newly appointed Special Envoy will drive action to end the use of rape as a weapon of war
    • up to 30% of women and girls living in conflict zones face sexual violence
    • appointment comes after launch of UK-led international coalition to end violence against women and girls

    Britain will continue to drive international action to prevent sexual violence in conflict, following the appointment of the Minister for Human Rights, Chris Elmore as the UK Special Envoy for Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict on the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict. 

    Up to 30% of women and girls in conflict zones worldwide have experienced conflict-related sexual violence, which is not only a grave human rights violation, but a threat to global peace, security and prosperity. There are immense barriers to reporting, particularly in conflict zones, therefore these figures could be much higher in reality. 

    Men and boys are also affected, notably in Ukraine, where over two thirds of prisoners of war have experienced sexual violence, and in Palestine, where UN reporting has documented the use of sexual violence in detention settings. 

    In the UK’s capacity as Vice-Chair of the International Alliance for Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict this year, Minister Elmore will play a leading role in strengthening global advocacy and in advancing trauma-informed, survivor-centred approaches across the Alliance’s prevention, protection and accountability efforts.  

    Minister Elmore’s appointment into the Special Envoy role follows the Foreign Secretary’s launch of a new UK-convened International Coalition to End Violence against Women and Girls. The coalition is bringing countries together to scale up prevention and end this violence everywhere. 

    The UK Special Envoy on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, Chris Elmore MP said:

    “Conflict-related sexual violence is a grave human rights violation and a global threat to peace and security. I commit to working with survivors, international partners and civil society around the world to drive action to end these abhorrent crimes and hold perpetrators to account.” 

    Notes to editors: 

    The International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict seeks to recognise conflict-related sexual violence as a threat to international peace and security – and a potential war crime, crime against humanity, or an underlying act of genocide. For survivors, this day can act as an important moment of global recognition, challenging the stigma that too often silences those with lived experience of this issue, reaffirming their right to be heard and to access justice and support.

  • John Slinger – 2026 Comments in Support of Keir Starmer

    John Slinger – 2026 Comments in Support of Keir Starmer

    The comments made by John Slinger, the Labour MP for Rugby, on 22 June 2026.

    There is a human being at the heart of this story, and that matters more than the story. Keir Starmer put the country first at the G7 last week, then went straight back to the day job. He walks towards the problems, not away. We owe him the decency of remembering that.

  • Ed Davey – 2026 Comments on Labour Turmoil

    Ed Davey – 2026 Comments on Labour Turmoil

    The comments made by Ed Davey, the Leader of the Liberal Democrats, on 22 June 2026.

    The British people are sick of being let down by an endless merry-go-round of Prime Ministers while nothing really changes for them.

    This time must be different. It can’t just be about changing who’s in Number 10, it has to be about changing our broken politics so we can fix our country.

    That means tackling the cost of living with a bold new deal with Europe, fixing social care at long last to end the NHS crisis, and giving power back to people by voting reform and giving communities more control.

    Whoever becomes Prime Minister needs to drop the caution and complacency and show the ambition our country deserves

  • Anna Soubry – 2026 Comments on Keir Starmer’s Resignation

    Anna Soubry – 2026 Comments on Keir Starmer’s Resignation

    The comments made by Anne Soubry on 21 June 2026.

    No one should be celebrating what seems certain to be the imminent departure of Keir Starmer and arrival of our seventh PM in 10 years Something has gone horribly wrong in British politics. Stability and competence were key parts of what made us a great country.

    Poorer quality politicians, the cheapening of political debate (in part social media but also MSM) and rise of so called populism led to Brexit and the decision to leave the EU just exacerbated the demise of competent Govt, sensible politics & decent politicians.

  • James Cleverly – 2026 Comments on Labour Turmoil

    James Cleverly – 2026 Comments on Labour Turmoil

    The comments made by James Cleverly, the Conservative MP for Braintree, on 21 June 2026.

    Labour is all over the place.

    Starmer is weak and distracted, the party has no plan, there is no constancy.

    This is why there are so many daft contradictions in their proposals.

  • Tim Farron – 2026 Comments on Keir Starmer

    Tim Farron – 2026 Comments on Keir Starmer

    The comments made by Tim Farron, the Liberal Democrat MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale, on 22 June 2026.

    Starmer’s been a poor PM, but the vitriol and hatred towards him is just weird. It comes from both the far left and far right. It’s contrived by people whose motives are deeply suspect. Part of me wants him to survive just to spite them.

  • Deborah Meaden – 2026 Comments in Support of Keir Starmer

    Deborah Meaden – 2026 Comments in Support of Keir Starmer

    The comments made by Deborah Meaden on 22 June 2026.

    I know a contest would take an even greater personal toll but I voted for Labour under your leadership and an untested Coronation will fail this Country. I want to know what Andy Burnham means by “better” because so far it lacks a great deal of substance.

  • NEWS STORY : Labour Party in Turmoil as Keir Starmer Resigns

    NEWS STORY : Labour Party in Turmoil as Keir Starmer Resigns

    STORY

    The Labour party has plunged into turmoil as Keir Starmer has confirmed that he will be resigning as Prime Minister. Speaking outside Downing Street, Starmer said:

    “We proved those people wrong because we changed our party, ripping out the poison of antisemitism, restoring trust on the economy, defence and national security, and becoming a party that once again stood proudly with God against our national flag.

    The hard work of change was with a singular purpose, not power for power’s sake, but to change Britain for the better, to build a fairer country with dignity and respect, where everyone is seen, everyone is valued, wealth and opportunity for all, not just the privileged few.”

  • NEWS STORY : Government Announces £50 Million Critical Minerals Investment

    NEWS STORY : Government Announces £50 Million Critical Minerals Investment

    STORY

    The Government has announced £50 million of investment to support critical minerals projects across the UK. The Department for Business and Trade said the funding would strengthen domestic production, support high-value jobs and reduce reliance on overseas supply chains.

    The programme is intended to support extraction, processing and recycling of minerals used in products including smartphones, fridges and electric vehicle batteries. Industry Minister Chris McDonald is launching the programme during a visit to Teesside’s Wilton Centre, including firms working on minerals processing and metal recycling.

    The Government said the investment builds on more than £200 million already committed to critical minerals projects. Ministers have presented the policy as part of a wider economic security agenda, arguing that stronger domestic capability will help protect the UK from global shocks and supply disruption.

  • NEWS STORY : Pound Falls as Markets Watch Starmer Leadership Speculation

    NEWS STORY : Pound Falls as Markets Watch Starmer Leadership Speculation

    STORY

    Sterling dipped as speculation mounted that Keir Starmer could announce a timetable for leaving office. Reuters reported that the pound fell by around 0.2% against the dollar on Monday as investors monitored the political uncertainty surrounding the Prime Minister’s future.

    The market reaction came after several days of pressure on Starmer following Andy Burnham’s Makerfield by-election victory. Analysts said Britain’s fiscal position, high debt interest costs and weak growth meant that any new Labour leader would have limited room for large spending commitments, even if they promised a change of political direction.

    Burnham has said he would respect the Government’s fiscal rules, but investors are expected to scrutinise any leadership campaign for signs of tax, borrowing or spending changes. The political uncertainty comes as the UK continues to face high borrowing costs compared with other major economies.