Afternoon summary
Keir Starmer is reportedly refusing to allow Donald Trump to send US bombers to attack Iran from British bases, including Diego Garcia in the Chagos Islands. That is said to be the reason for Trump’s latest attack on the Chagos Islands deal. The government has not denied the reports, and issued a statement saying: “As routine, we do not comment on operational matters.” The Conservatives say Stamer should let Trump use British bases to attack Iran, while the Liberal Democrats have accused Trump of trying to bully the UK, and say MPs should get a vote on any proposal to let the US launch bombing raids from British bases. (See 4.40pm.)
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.
Updated
Jenrick sent his Reform UK economy speech to George Osborne seeking his approval
Robert Jenrick, the new Reform UK Treasury spokesperson, sent a copy of his economy speech yesterday to his former Tory colleague, George Osborne, the former chancellor revealed on his Political Currency podcast. He was keen to get Osborne’s approval. And Osborne told him he did agree with the policies in the speech – but not any of Reform UK’s other ones.
Ben Bloch from Sky News has posted the exchange.
Robert Jenrick texted a copy of his speech on the economy to George Osborne after he gave it yesterday, the former chancellor reveals on @polcurrency.
Reform’s new Treasury spokesperson said he hopes Osborne will “approve” of it.
Jenrick wrote in full: “George, trust you’re well. Here’s a copy of a speech I gave today on the economy.
“It commits to the OBR and to fiscal responsibility, which I hope you will approve of.”
Osborne responded on his podcast: “I say yes, I do. Although I’m not sure I approve of much else in the Reform programme.”
Updated
