Reform UK membership overtakes Tories - but Badenoch says numbers are 'fake'

Farage: I genuinely think I could be the next prime minister

Dan Walker from 5 News speaks to Nigel Farage in Washington DC ahead of Donald Trump’s second inauguration as President of the United States. The Reform UK leader explains why he believes Mr Trump is “what the world needs”, and where he stands with Elon Musk following differences of opinion over Tommy Robinson. When asked if he genuinely thought he could be the next UK prime minister, Mr Farage responded: “Yes, I do.” Report by Jonesia. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Farage calls for inquiry into grooming gangs at conference

Nigel Farage has renewed calls for a national inquiry into grooming gangs, criticising the Jay Review as inadequate. Speaking at Reform UK’s North West conference, he claimed a targeted investigation was needed into what he described as “deeply racist” crimes. Farage said grooming gangs, “predominantly of Pakistani origin,” targeted white working-class girls and that understanding the scale and motives of these crimes was crucial to stopping them. Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Farage ‘thoughtful’ on UK bringing back Shamima Begum

Nigel Farage has said that he is “thoughtful” when asked if the UK should consider bringing back Shamima Begum. The Reform UK leader said that “instinctively” it is not something he would want to do but he is “now thoughtful” about the matter. Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Nigel Farage reveals Reform party has 170,000 members

Nigel Farage has revealed his party has reached 170,000 members in a speech delivered at the Reform UK Conference in Essex. The Reform UK leader Report by Kennedyl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Starmer: We have iron-clad commitment to our fiscal rules

Sir Keir Starmer says the government has an "iron-clad commitment to our fiscal rules", after inflation dipped to 2.5% in December. The prime minister's comments at PMQs come after Conservative Party Leader Kemi Badenoch claimed business leaders are suffering from Labour's Autumn Budget. Report by Brooksl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Starmer defends former Treasury minister at PMQs

Sir Keir Starmer has defended Tulip Siddiq after the former Treasury minister resigned from government over an anti-corruption investigation into her wider family in Bangladesh. The prime minister told Kemi Badenoch in PMQs, "the former minister fully cooperated" with independent advisors looking into the matter. Report by Brooksl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Siddiq in good spirits as Badenoch calls for the sack

Economic Secretary to the Treasury, Tulip Siddiq, leaves home in good spirits as the Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch calls for her to be sacked over corruption claims – which the treasury minister has denied. Report by Ajagbef. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Starmer urges Badenoch to change child protection bill

Sir Keir Starmer has urged Kemi Badenoch to "withdraw her wrecking amendment" to the government's bill aimed at protecting children, as the Conservative Party calls for a public inquiry into child grooming gangs. Report by Ajagbef. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Tories: Starmer is no Margaret Thatcher

The shadow financial secretary has dismissed comparisons between Margaret Thatcher and Sir Keir Starmer, who likened his government to the ex-prime minister's. Criticising the Labour government's budget, Gareth Davies claimed Chancellor Rachel Reeves's budget has created an environment "not conducive to economic growth". The Tory MP's comments come as Reeves announced government support for Heathrow expansion in a major speech, in which the chancellor said a third runway could increase potential GDP by 0.43% by 2050 and could create over 100,000 jobs. Report by Faragt. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Conservatives ‘anxious’ over remaining Israeli hostages

Conservative shadow minister Richard Holden says it is “fantastic news” to see British-Israeli national Emily Damari released from captivity in Gaza, but adds that there is “a lot of anxiety there” for the families of the remaining hostages. Report by Jonesia. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Philp: Labour morally wrong to reject grooming gangs inquiry

The shadow home secretary has said it is "morally wrong" for the Labour Party to reject a national inquiry into the grooming gangs scandal. MPs voted down the Conservative Party amendment in the Commons, but Chris Philp urged Sir Keir Starmer to "change your mind". Report by Brooksl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Nigel Farage speaks at Reform UK conference

Nigel Farage praised the Reform party for overtaking the Conservatives. Speaking to Reform UK's East Midlands conference in Leicester on Friday, the Reform UK leader said the party has "35,000 members more" since Boxing Day alone. Report by Kennedyl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn