A summary of today's developments
The defence secretary, John Healey, told the Commons that the UK, at the request of the US, supported efforts to intercept an Russian-flagged tanker in the North Atlantic. Healey said: “The vessel refused to comply with the US’s exercise of its sanctions jurisdiction on 20 December, after which the US Coast Guard vessel Monroe pursued the ship across the Atlantic. This is a sanctioned, stateless vessel which carries a long history of nefarious activity and shares close links with both Iran and Russia.” Healey said there was a deployment of Royal Navy and RAF assets including airborne surveillance and RFA Tideforce and no UK personnel took part in the operation.
Healey said he is visiting Kyiv “soon” to continue discussions on supporting Ukraine’s long term armaments and policing of any ceasefire.
Nigel Farage called allegations of racist and antisemitic bullying during his time at Dulwich college “complete made-up fantasies”, saying his accusers are “people with very obvious political motivation”.
Reform’s new London mayoral candidate has been accused of “talking down” the UK’s capital after she said that people “pity” Londoners.
The shadow attorney general, David Wolfson, has recused himself from giving advice to Kemi Badenoch on Ukraine and Russia because he is representing the sanctioned Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich in a court case, the Conservatives have announced.
Labour watering down its sweeping overhaul of workers’ rights is expected to slash the cost of the plan for UK businesses by billions of pounds, the government’s own analysis shows.
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The former prime minister Rishi Sunak said Russia should not be given a veto on western troops being allowed into Ukraine following any possible peace deal.
Sunak said: “The future of Ukraine and indeed, the security of Europe, is an issue of vital UK national interest.
“I believe three prerequisites for a lasting peace in Ukraine are: firstly, a western military presence there.
“Secondly, credible and durable security guarantees, and thirdly, a well-armed and resourced Ukrainian military.
“In his work with allies in the weeks ahead, will he ensure that any ceasefire or peace agreement does not give Russia a veto in any of those three vital areas?”
Responding, Healey agreed with Sunak’s conditions, which are part of ensuring a “lasting and secure peace,” while security guarantees from the US and the coalition of the willing “will form the basis of the confidence that President Zelensky can have in going into the negotiations”.
He said: “We hope that they will add extra impetus to those negotiations. And in the end, it will be a matter for President Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian people, the deal that they strike with President Putin.”
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