Badenoch makes bleak local elections prediction - as Farage mocks 'comical' new slogan

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

Badenoch: UK right not to hit back on US tariffs

Kemi Badenoch has warned that US retaliatory tariffs will “make it more expensive for people in this country”. Badenoch said tariffs hit consumers hardest and come “at a time when the economy is doing badly” due to Labour’s tax rises. Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Badenoch defends Israel over refusal to admit Labour MPs

Kemi Badenoch has defended Israel’s decision to block two Labour MPs from entering, saying “every country should be allowed to police its borders.” She said that being an MP “does not give you diplomatic immunity” and warned against criticising Israel for enforcing its laws, saying the UK should “set that precedent” if it wants to do the same. 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

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

Farage: ‘Government turning its back on grooming victims’

Nigel Farage says the government ''has turned its back on victims'' after it was accused of failing to make progress on local grooming gang inquiries. Report by Chahalb. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Farage: There are three days to save steel-making in Britain

Nigel Farage says there are only "three days" to save primary steel production in the UK and calls for "an immediate nationalisation" of British Steel. Report by Faragt. 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

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