Former Tory minister joins Reform UK

Farage: Reform now main opposition in red wall areas

Nigel Farage has claimed Reform UK is now the main challenger to Labour in the Midlands, North, Wales and Scotland, pushing the Conservatives into third place. In a campaign speech, he said voters felt betrayed by the Tories over Brexit and immigration, adding that backing the Conservatives in red wall areas would be a “wasted vote.” Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Tories urge Welsh Government to reconsider steel requirement

A Tory minister has urged the Welsh Government to reconsider its requirements around steel as the UK Government races to avert the shutdown of Britain's last primary steelmaking plant. Shadow business minister Dame Harriett Baldwin said it's a "critical part of our national infrastructure" that the Scunthorpe plant is "kept going". Report by Kennedyl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Minister clashes with Badenoch over steel deal claim

Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds says the Conservative leader is wrong to say she had negotiated a modernisation plan with British Steel for electric arc furnaces at Teesside and Scunthorpe. Ms Badenoch posted on X on Friday saying as business secretary in the last Conservative government she had negotiated the proposal, but it was "bungled" by Labour. After intervening, Ms Badenoch says: "Labour cannot negotiate. We were negotiating a modernisation deal that would have had limited job losses, just like we had in Port Talbot”. Report by Blairm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Badenoch accuses Labour of grooming gang inquiry U-turn

Kemi Badenoch has accused Labour of dropping plans for five local grooming gang inquiries promised in January. The Conservative leader called for a full national inquiry and suggested a “cover-up”, claiming Labour's refusal to act shows dishonesty and a failure to deliver justice. She pledged to force another vote, warning the public would “see who is on their side”. Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Farage claims Southport attack was 'covered up'

Nigel Farage has accused authorities of a “cover-up” following the 2024 Southport stabbing. The Reform UK leader said public anger was fuelled by withheld information, calling it an example of “two-tier policing.” He argued that clearer details about the attacker could have prevented riots and criticised how emotional online reactions were handled. Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Farage backs calls for nationalisation of UK steel industry

Nigel Farage has backed calls for the nationalisation of the British steel industry as the government races to keep the furnaces burning. The Reform UK leader referred to British Steel’s Chinese owner Jingye as "bad faith actors" and said the steel plant should be taken over by a private business. Report by Kennedyl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Farage launches Reform UK’s local election campaign

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has launched his party’s local election campaign, promising to cut waste in local authorities. Report by Etemadil. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Farage: Keep China out of UK infrastructure

Nigel Farage says Chinese firms should have no role in UK infrastructure after ministers took control of British Steel. The government acted over the weekend amid fears its Chinese owner planned to shut Scunthorpe’s furnaces. Farage said China is “not a friend of ours” and warned the UK must “find alternatives” even if it means less investment. Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Ed Davey: British Steel must be protected

Sir Ed Davey said Parliament's recall to protect British Steel is essential amid “Putin’s barbaric war” and Trump’s “outrageous tariffs”. He said the Liberal Democrats will work constructively with the Government but warned nationalisation “should not be off the table”. Davey also called on Nigel Farage to apologise for supporting Trump, accusing him of being a “plastic patriot” who owes steelworkers an apology. Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn