Politics

The Ukrainian ambassador to the UK has said he does not believe a huge number of refugees fleeing the country will come to Britain as many want to stay in bordering nations “closer to their roots”. Appearing in front of the Home Affairs Commons Committee, Vadym Prystaiko told MPs that Ukrainian refugees want to get

A new Economic Crime Bill to bolster the government’s ability to target Russian oligarchs has been pushed through the Commons. The Economic Crime (Transparency and Enforcement) Bill received an unopposed third reading on Monday evening and will now go to the House of Lords for further scrutiny. It was rushed through the Commons in the

Boris Johnson has explained why Western countries cannot immediately stop using Russian gas and oil despite wanting to punish Vladimir Putin. The prime minister said the world needs to “move away as fast as possible” from a reliance on Russian energy supplies but said there would need to be a “step-by-step transition period” while countries

A government minister has defended the UK’s support for fleeing Ukrainian refugees after it was revealed by the Home Office only “around 50” visas had been granted. Foreign Office minister James Cleverly said the UK government has “made it absolutely clear we want to support Ukrainians who are seeking refuge”, adding that most of those

The world must prepare for “even darker days ahead” over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Boris Johnson has said. Writing in the New York Times, the prime minister said Western nations have “failed to learn the lessons of Russian behaviour” that led to Vladimir Putin launching his assault last month. Live updates on Russia’s invasion of

Boris Johnson has said it appears Vladimir Putin sees no way out of the Ukraine invasion “except to continue with the destruction”. “It feels to me as though Vladimir Putin has decided to – and it’s clear from what’s happening – that he’s decided to double down,” he told European papers La Repubblica, Die Welt

A Ukrainian-born Tory donor has begged Boris Johnson to impose a no-fly zone over Ukraine – as he labelled Vladimir Putin “insane”. Alexander Temerko has asked the prime minister to reconsider his objections to a no-fly zone, arguing it could save the lives of millions of people. The veteran Tory donor, who gained British citizenship

Former prime minister Gordon Brown has called for the creation of a special tribunal to punish Vladimir Putin for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The former Labour leader is urging Western countries to set up the tribunal to prosecute the Russian president and his accomplices. Live updates as nuclear plant seized by Russian troops Speaking alongside

The shelling of a nuclear power plant in Ukraine by Russian troops is “a threat to European security and stability”, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss has said. Speaking in Brussels, where ministers from across the West are gathering today to discuss how to respond to Russian aggression, Ms Truss told broadcasters that those responsible for the

Labour has held Birmingham Erdington in the by-election triggered by the sudden death of frontbencher Jack Dromey. Former nurse and mother-of-five Paulette Hamilton, 59, won with a majority of 3,266 but the by-election failed to inspire voters, with a turnout of just 27%. She picked up 9,413 votes, ahead of Conservative candidate Robert Alden with 6,147.

Former education secretary Gavin Williamson has been given a knighthood, Downing Street said. The MP for South Staffordshire was sacked by Boris Johnson during his September 2021 cabinet reshuffle. Mr Williamson was education secretary during most of the pandemic, when he came under heavy criticism for his handling of exams and school closures. A Downing

Voters are going to the polls today in Birmingham Erdington in a parliamentary by-election triggered by the sudden death of Labour Party and trade union stalwart Jack Dromey. Mr Dromey, who was married to the former Labour cabinet minister and interim party leader Harriet Harman, held the seat with a majority of 3,601 in the

Boris Johnson has accused Vladimir Putin of committing “a war crime” as he spoke during a session of PMQs preceded by a standing ovation for Ukraine’s ambassador. As the Russian president’s attempt to invade Ukraine entered a seventh day, Mr Johnson condemned Mr Putin’s “abhorrent assault” on his country’s neighbour. “What we have seen already

Sir Keir Starmer should kick out Labour MPs who back the Stop the War campaign or face losing the next election, according to shadow cabinet ministers. Diane Abbott and John McDonnell are among 11 left-wing MPs who have signed a letter organised by the group last week which was critical of NATO expansion and UK

The UK “stands ready” to take Ukrainians fleeing the Russia’s invasion in “considerable numbers”, Boris Johnson has said. Speaking in Warsaw alongside Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, Mr Johnson said he is “more convinced than ever” that Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine will fail. With hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians fleeing the Russian invasion, the

Boris Johnson has said the UK will “continue to bring maximum pressure to bear” on Russia to ensure Vladimir Putin “feels the consequences” for invading Ukraine. Speaking ahead of travelling to Poland and Estonia on Tuesday, the prime minister said the UK and its allies are united in agreeing “Putin must fail”. Mr Johnson is

A further 100,000 Ukrainians will be able to seek sanctuary in the UK, the home secretary has announced, but Priti Patel has ruled out a visa waiver for those fleeing the conflict with Russia following Vladimir Putin’s invasion. Making the announcement in the Commons, Priti Patel said family members of those who are British nationals

Immigration minister Kevin Foster has been criticised after he suggested Ukrainians fleeing war should apply for work visas to come to the UK. In a now-deleted Twitter post, the Conservative MP said Ukrainians could qualify for the seasonal worker scheme – where people can come to the UK for up to six months to work

A “hit list” of Russian oligarchs has been drawn up by the Foreign Office as ministers prepare to slap further sanctions on those close to Vladimir Putin’s regime, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss has told Sky News. The mansions and private jets of billionaires are to be targeted as the government steps up punitive measures following

Labour is calling for much tougher sanctions on Russia following the Ukrainian invasion it condemns as a “heinous violation of international law”. In a joint letter, three of the party’s senior MPs are calling on the government to widen already imposed sanctions on Russia and President Vladimir Putin, including a ban on the export of