Farage criticises BBC over racism allegations and claims one fellow pupil said he was ‘offensive’ but not racist – as it happened

Nigel Farage on Thursday. Photograph: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

6.00pm GMT

Early evening summary

• Nigel Farage has denied saying anything racist “with malice” in his latest attempt to address allegations of abuse made by numerous of his contemporaries at school.

• Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party has received a £9m donation from Christopher Harborne, a leading cryptocurrency investor, as well as £50,000 from the wife of the owner of the Daily Mail.

• Ministers are to postpone elections for new mayors in four parts of England, prompting accusations from opposition parties that Downing Street is “cancelling democracy”.

For a full list of all the stories covered on the blog today, do scroll through the list of key event headlines near the top of the blog.

5.56pm GMT

MoD announces funding for thousands of armed forces members to return home at Christmas

Keir Starmer has announced that thousands of military families will benefit from funding for Christmas return leave. He announced this on his visit to RAF Lossiemouth.

Explaing the change, the Ministry of Defence said:

Around 30,000 junior personnel in years 2-5 of their military careers – a group particularly affected by postings far from home early in their service – will benefit from a funded return journey to see their loved ones this Christmas.

A further 5,000 separated parents with non-resident children will also receive travel credit, helping them reunite with their children over Christmas.

This is targeted support where it is most needed – with personnel in their early years of service most likely to be separated from family and friends due to the demands of military life and placements.

While many in the armed forces already qualify for travel cost support, around 35,000 service personnel don’t currently qualify for this support, and the government is changing that this festive season.

Starmer said:

Our armed forces make extraordinary sacrifices, and I know how important being with family is, and that is why today we’re announcing extra travel support for service personnel to be with their loved ones this Christmas.