Sunak’s election tour branded shambolic after Titanic Quarter visit inspires sinking ship comparison – as it happened

Rishi Sunak visiting Belfast Photograph: Henry Nicholls/AP

5.46pm BST

Afternoon summary

• Keir Starmer has said he abandoned his pledge to abolish tuition fees in order to prioritise tackling NHS waiting lists.

• The Lib Dems, Greens and SNP face being cut out of televised leadership debates, as broadcasters plan to focus on two head-to-head contests between Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer.

• Rishi Sunak’s election campaign has been criticised as shambolic after he visited the Titanic Quarter in Belfast, where a journalist asked him if he was captain of a sinking ship. It is the latest in a series of mishaps that have exposed him to ridicule from his opponents. (See 3.52pm.)

• Labour’s investigation into Diane Abbott’s comments about racism, which has lasted more than a year, will be completed by 4 June, Keir Starmer says.

• Jeremy Corbyn has confirmed he will stand as an independent candidate in Islington North, vowing to fight for equality, democracy and peace.

Updated at 5.46pm BST

5.24pm BST

Labour will pledge in its manifesto to bring back the Rishi Sunak plan to stop future generations smoking, Hugo Gye from the i reports.

The smoking ban is not dead, merely resting.

It will appear in Labour manifesto, @theipaper understands, while Sunak would make it a priority if Tories re-elected.

Story: https://t.co/2kddMnBxJO

— Hugo Gye (@HugoGye) May 24, 2024

The smoking ban is not dead, merely resting.

It will appear in Labour manifesto, @theipaper understands, while Sunak would make it a priority if Tories re-elected.