November 7, 2024

Suella Braverman sacked – latest: Sunak begins reshuffle after Palestine march row as David Cameron gets job

Suella Braverman #SuellaBraverman

David Cameron is to make a shock return to frontline politics as foreign secretary seven years after stepping down as prime minister, as Rishi Sunak conducts a major Cabinet reshuffle.

It began with Suella Braverman being sacked as home secretary on Monday morning, after days of intense pressure to fire her. James Cleverly has been moved from foreign secretary to replace her at the Home Office, Downing Street has confirmed.

Ms Braverman sparked outrage after claiming that Metropolitan Police favouritism had stopped far-right protests but permitted “pro-Palestine mobs” to rally, ahead of the Gaza march set to take place on Armistice Day.

Downing Street did not approve the final text of Ms Braverman’s incendiary op-ed for The Times, with Rishi Sunak’s officials’ requests for changes ignored by the home secretary.

The dramatic move threatens to open up a major rift between Mr Sunak and backbench Tory MPs, with those on the right of the party having threatened to rebel if Ms Braverman was ousted.

Key Points

  • David Cameron becomes foreign secretary in shock appointment

  • James Cleverly replaces Suella Braverman as home secretary in Cabinet reshuffle

  • Braverman U-turns to praise ‘brave’ police after day of protest violence

  • Veteran schools minister to stand down as MP after 26 years

  • Transport minister quits

    11:12 , Andy Gregory

    Jesse Norman, the MP for Hereford and South Herefordshire, said he has quit as a minister in the Department for Transport.

    “It has been a great honour to serve in successive governments since 2016,” Mr Norman said in a letter to Rishi Sunak.

    “Thank you for the calm, focused and long-term leadership you have given this country over the past year.”

    Cleverly opposed government plans to use RAF base in his own constituency to house asylum-seekers

    11:11 , Andy Gregory

    The new home secretary has previously fought against government plans to use a former RAF base in his Braintree constituency to house asylum-seekers, our social affairs correspondent Holly Bancroft reports.

    James Cleverly took to Facebook in March to reassure constituents that he had told the immigration minister that it was not appropriate accommodation.

    “I highlighted the remote nature of the site, the limited transport infrastructure and narrow road network and that these factors would mean the site wasn’t appropriate for asylum accommodation,” he wrote.

    After the home office confirmed that the site would be used anyway, he reiterated his opposition to the plan, saying: “I have made my views on the site clear from the beginning.”

    Braverman’s most controversial moments as she is sacked as home secretary

    11:05 , Andy Gregory

    New home secretary in favour of staying in the European Court of Human Rights

    11:03 , Andy Gregory

    Our social affairs correspondent Holly Bancroft reports:

    By bringing in James Cleverly as home secretary, prime minister Rishi Sunak has avoided a clash with Suella Braverman on what to do next if flights to Rwanda are grounded on Wednesday. Ms Braverman had been in favour of leaving the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), a move popular with the hard right of the Conservative Party.

    Mr Sunak reportedly disagreed with this and Ms Braverman was apparently considering resigning on principle on the issue if the Supreme Court judges ruled against the government.

    Mr Cleverly, who was previously foreign secretary, has said he is “not convinced” that leaving the ECHR is necessary to ensure the UK’s tough approach to immigration. He told The Guardian in April that the UK should not wish to join Belarus and Russia, the only European countries outside the ECHR.

    He defended the UK’s ability to influence and make changes within the ECHR, saying: “We are a serious player on the world stage.”

    Rees-Mogg: Sunak has made a mistake by sacking Suella Braverman

    11:02 , Archie Mitchell

    Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg has said Rishi Sunak made a mistake by sacking Suella Braverman, fuelling fears he will face a revolt from right-wing Tory MPs.

    The former business secretary said Ms Braverman “understands what the country thinks about migration” and was “committed to delivering something that the country thinks is important”.

    “From the point of view of the Conservatives winning the next election, today is a mistake because Suella understood what the British voter thought and was trying to do something about it,” he told GB News.

    On the return of David Cameron, Sir Jacob added: “David Cameron got the Brexit issue wrong in terms of the Conservative Party and indeed the country at large who voted to leave but he did give us the choice to have the vote.”

    Matt Hancock: Return of Cameron is a ‘brilliant decision’

    10:59 , Andy Gregory

    The return of David Cameron is a “brilliant decision” by Rishi Sunak, Matt Hancock has said.

    The former health secretary, who was first promoted to the front bench by Mr Cameron in 2012, said his appointment would be “superb” for Britain.

    The now independent MP said: “Brilliant decision by the PM to make David Cameron Foreign SecretarySuperb for Great Britain – bringing his experience to guide us through difficult times.

    “Excellent for the Conservatives, showing Rishi Sunak will fight the election on the centre ground.”

    Health minister quits in reshuffle

    10:57 , Andy Gregory

    Will Quince has quit as a minister in the Department of Health and Social Care.

    He said he was leaving as he was standing down at the next election and would now focus on his training as a specialist reserve officer in the Army and his work as a constituency MP.

    Cameron criticised foreign aid budget cut when Sunak was chancellor

    10:55 , Andy Gregory

    Our Whitehall and politics editor Kate Devlin notes that David Cameron was also critical of the government’s decision to deviate from the commitment to spend 0.7 per cent of GDP on international aid while Rishi Sunak was chancellor.

    The ex-PM said he “deeply regretted” the decision taken by Boris Johnson’s government, as he raised the questions of “do we care, do we act, and do we lead?”

    The merger of the now-defunct Department for Interational Development and the Foreign Office means that international aid will now be part of Mr Cameron’s purview as foreign secretary.

    Cameron is 15th former PM to return to government since 18th century

    10:47 , Andy Gregory

    David Cameron has become the 15th former prime minister to serve in a later government led by someone else.

    According to a government blog from November 2012, 14 ex-premiers have previously come back in a different government role since the 18th century.

    Sir Alec Douglas-Home, who served for just under a year as prime minister after taking office in October 1963, was later appointed foreign secretary by Edward Heath. He held the role from 1970 until 1974 and is the last former PM to return to government under a different leader.

    In earlier years, Arthur Balfour, who served as prime minister from 1902 until 1905, came back to government in the roles of the first lord of the admiralty in the wartime coalition, and then foreign secretary under David Lloyd George.

    During the Second World War, Neville Chamberlain – who was succeeded by Sir Winston Churchill – went on to serve as lord president of the council in his Cabinet.

    Cameron says ‘daunting’ international challenges facing UK

    10:46 , Andy Gregory

    David Cameron has cited wars in Ukraine and Gaza as he cited a “daunting set of international challenges” facing the UK as he is appointed foreign secretary.

    “We are facing a daunting set of international challenges, including the war in Ukraine and the crisis in the Middle East. At this time of profound global change, it has rarely been more important for this country to stand by our allies, strengthen our partnerships and make sure our voice is heard,” the former Tory prime minister said.

    Analysis | Sacked! But don’t worry: Suella Braverman has next to no chance of becoming Tory leader

    10:39 , Andy Gregory

    Our chief political commentator John Rentoul writes:

    Suella Braverman, as many predicted, is gone – Rishi Sunak has sacked his divisive home secretary as part of a reshuffle after the pro-Palestine march row turned nasty.

    In doing so, the prime minister has effectively fired the starting gun in the battle to succeed him as Tory leader. When (and let’s face it, it is when and not if) Sunak leads his party to defeat at the next election, Braverman has now laid her claim to be the right wing favourite to succeed him.

    Free of her cabinet responsibilities, she is sure to use the time between now and polling day to campaign hard to be next Conservative leader. But could she really make it? I’m not so sure.

    Suella Braverman has next to no chance of becoming Tory leader | John Rentoul

    Yvette Cooper: ‘Sunak should never have appointed Braverman in first place’

    10:38 , Archie Mitchell

    Labour’s Yvette Cooper said Suella Braverman has now been sacked twice as home secretary, adding: “Rishi Sunak should never have re-appointed her in first place.”

    The shadow home secretary said: “Suella Braverman has now been sacked twice as Home Secretary.

    “Rishi Sunak shd never have re-appointed her in first place. He was warned against it & was warned on the damage she was doing. He went along with her undermining the police.

    “Buck still stops with this weak PM”.

    Theresa May ‘looking forward to working with David Cameron again’

    10:37 , Andy Gregory

    Former PM Theresa May has said she is looking forward to working with her predecessor David Cameron again:

    David Cameron appointment will draw ‘ton of snark’, says Ruth Davidson

    10:36 , Andy Gregory

    The former Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson has predicted “a ton of snark” around David Cameron’s shock appointment as foreign secretary – but welcomes a departure from the tradition of putting former prime ministers “out to pasture”.

    Rwanda ‘dream’ to ‘tofu-eating wokerati’: 13 of Suella Braverman’s biggest controversies

    10:31 , Andy Gregory

    Suella Braverman was no stranger to controversy in her time as home secretary, which came to an end after she was sacked in a Cabinet reshuffle.

    Here my colleague Albert Toth takes a look at the major controversies from Ms Braverman’s time in office:

    Keep up to date with the latest politics news

    10:30 , Andy Gregory

    It’s been an extraordinary morning in UK politics, with David Cameron making a sensational return to frontline politics as foreign secretary.

    With stories often moving a break-neck pace it can be hard to keep up with the latest news. Luckily The Independent is always here to keep you expertly informed.

    If you want alerts on breaking news straight to your phone, sign up to our WhatsApp channel here.

    For exclusive analysis of the day in politics sign up to our free View from Westminster newsletter here.

    And for the best inside stories and great gossip from behind the corridors of power, subscribe to Independent Premium and receive John Rentoul’s weekly Commons Confidential email.

    Lib Dems: ‘Cameron peerage should be blocked given his shady past’

    10:29 , Archie Mitchell

    The Liberal Democrats have said David Cameron’s peerage should be scrapped over his role at the heart of the Greensill lobbying scandal.

    The former PM was found to have extensively lobbied ministers including then chancellor Rishi Sunak to support Greensill Capital, a supply-chain finance firm which went bust in 2021 for which he was an adviser.

    Responding to the news that Mr Cameron has been appointed foreign secretary, Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokesman Layla Moran said: “Bringing back a scandal-hit, unelected former Prime Minister who has been criticising Sunak’s government at every turn has the stench of desperation. There is not even the bottom of the barrel left for Sunak to scrape in the Conservative party.

    “David Cameron was at the heart of the biggest lobbying scandal of recent times. Handing him a peerage makes a mockery of our honours system. Cameron’s peerage should be blocked given his shady past.”

    Sunak ‘showing exemplary leadership at a difficult time’, says Cameron

    10:28 , Andy Gregory

    New foreign secretary Lord David Cameron said that while “I may have disagreed with some individual decisions” made by Rishi Sunak, he “is a strong and capable prime minister, who is showing exemplary leadership at a difficult time”.

    The ex-PM recently criticised Mr Sunak for squandering a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” in deciding to axe the northern leg of HS2.

    Deputy PM and ex-Cameron aide ‘led reshuffle talks’, report suggests

    10:26 , Andy Gregory

    Deputy PM Oliver Dowden – who was formerly a senior aide to David Cameron – led talks for a Cabinet reshuffle, Bloomberg’s Alex Wickham reported last week.

    Tractor porn former Tory MP tells Sunak to ‘prepare for war’

    10:18 , Archie Mitchell

    The tractor porn former Tory MP Neil Parish has told Rishi Sunak to “prepare for war” after sacking Suella Braverman.

    He told GB News: “Rishi Sunak better prepare for war I think because of course she is very much, Suella, the standard bearer of the right of the party.

    “Now, I can understand, as home secretary she was probably ill-advised to make these comments, the problem is she does reflect a lot of opinion in the country and it will be very interesting now to see what happens, but I suspect Rishi Sunak in the end was left with no alternative.”

    David Cameron slammed Rishi Sunak for scrapping HS2 last month

    10:18 , Archie Mitchell

    David Cameron’s sensational return to the cabinet comes just a month after he slammed Rishi Sunak’s decision to scrap HS2’s northern leg.

    The former prime minister attacked Mr Sunak for squandering a “once-in-a-generation opportunity”.

    Mr Cameron, writing on social media site X, formerly known as Twitter, said: “Today’s decision on HS2 is the wrong one. It will help to fuel the views of those who argue that we can no longer think or act for the long-term as a country; that we are heading in the wrong direction.”

    Cameron to enter Lords in order to become foreign secretary

    10:16 , Andy Gregory

    Former Conservative prime minister David Cameron has been named foreign secretary in a shock appointment as part of the Rishi Sunak’s cabinet reshuffle.

    The stunning move will see the Tory grandee – who occupied No 10 between 2010 and 2016 – enter the Lords so he can take up one of the top jobs in government.

    Our political correspondent Adam Forrest has more in this report:

    David Cameron made foreign secretary in Rishi Sunak reshuffle

    Labour: ‘Sunak said Cameron was part of failed status quo’

    10:11 , Andy Gregory

    Labour has pointed to Rishi Sunak’s claim last month that David Cameron was part of a “failed status quo”, mocking him for reappointing the former PM.

    Pat McFadden MP, Labour’s National Campaign Coordinator, said: “A few weeks ago, Rishi Sunak said David Cameron was part of a failed status quo, now he’s bringing him back as his life raft.

    “This puts to bed the Prime Minister’s laughable claim to offer change from 13 years of Tory failure.”

    Jeremy Hunt is safe, Downing Street confirms

    10:04 , Archie Mitchell

    Jeremy Hunt can breathe a sigh of relief as Downing Street confirmed he is staying in post.

    There has been speculation that Rishi Sunak wants to replace Mr Hunt with a close ally, but amid a major overhaul of his top team the PM confirmed Mr Hunt will remain as chancellor.

    King approves appointment of David Cameron as foreign secretary

    10:03 , Andy Gregory

    Our political correspondent Archie Mitchell has more on this morning’s extraordinary appointment:

    David Cameron has been confirmed as the new foreign secretary.

    The former prime minister will replace James Cleverly, who has been promoted to home secretary, in an extraordinary return to frontline politics.

    A note from No 10 said: “The King has been pleased to approve the appointment of the Rt Hon David Cameron as Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs.

    “His Majesty has also been pleased to confer the dignity of a Barony of the United Kingdom for life upon David Cameron.”

    David Cameron to return as foreign secretary, Tories say

    10:02 , Andy Gregory

    David Cameron will return to frontline politics as foreign secretary, seven years after quitting as PM in the immediate wake of the Brexit referendum, the Conservative Party has said.

    James Cleverly is the new home secretary, No10 confirms

    09:42 , Andy Gregory

    A notice from No 10 said: “The King has been pleased to approve the appointment of the Rt Hon James Cleverly MP as Secretary of State for the Home Department.

    “This follows the departure from Government of the Rt Hon Suella Braverman KC MP.”

    Health minister Neil O’Brien is returning to the backbenches

    09:38 , Archie Mitchell

    Junior health minister Neil O’Brien has asked to return to the backbenches.

    The MP said: “It has been a privilege to serve at DHSC. Great ministerial team and spads and some fab officials.

    “But with so much going on locally I want to focus 100 per cent on constituency work so have asked to go to back benches. I’m also keen to see more of our two small children.”

    ‘Deck chairs on the Titanic’: Commentators react as reshuffle speculation mounts

    09:37 , Andy Gregory

    Here is some of the reaction from political commentators and journalists as David Cameron is seen entering No 10.

    Kate McCann of Times Radio notes that “if David Cameron makes a return that will overshadow everything else”.

    LBC’s James O’Brien suggests it is “deck chairs on the Titanic time”.

    Responding to the suggestion that handing Cameron the foreign secretary job would send a “strong message of reassurance” that Rishi Sunak is a natural political successor of the ex-PM, the i newspaper’s Richard Vaughan notes that it could “also remind the Remain-voting Blue Wall of the man who kick started the last 6-7 years of ‘chaos’ in Westminster”.

    Others are wondering what Downing Street’s resident feline makes of it all:

    Tory reshuffle: Who’s in and who’s out as David Cameron seen entering No 10

    09:29 , Andy Gregory

    After a tumultuous weekend, in which Suella Braverma was accused of stiring unrest on the streets, Rishi Sunak gave in to mounting pressure, including from his own party, to fire her as home secretary.

    Our Whitehall and politics editor Kate Devlin has the latest on the reshuffle in this report:

    Tory reshuffle: Who’s in and who’s out as David Cameron seen entering No 10

    Schools minister quits and will not stand at next election

    09:27 , Andy Gregory

    Veteran schools minister Nick Gibb said he had quit the government and would not stand at the next general election, after 26 years as the MP for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton.

    “Over the last few weeks I have been discussing taking up a diplomatic role after the general election,” he said.

    “To enable me to do so I have asked the prime minister if I can step down from the government at the reshuffle and he has agreed.”

    He added: “I campaigned for Rishi last summer and I remain an enthusiastic supporter of the prime minister’s leadership.”

    David Cameron ‘told friends he wanted to return as foreign secretary’, report claimed in 2018

    09:21 , Andy Gregory

    A “bored ****less” David Cameron told friends he would not rule out a future return to frontline politics as foreign secretary, claimed a report written two years after he resigned as prime minister.

    A source told The Sun in 2018: “David is dedicated to public service, and has often said he wouldn’t rule out a public role one day, domestically or internationally. But he is only 52, and still a young man.”

    That report noted that Mr Cameron had taken on William Hague as foreign secretary years after he stepped down as Tory party leader in 2001.

    He has now been seen entering No 10 as Rishi Sunak conducts a reshuffle:

    Braverman says serving as home secretary was ‘greatest privilege of my life’

    09:14 , Andy Gregory

    After being sacked, Suella Braverman said “it has been the greatest privilege of my life to serve as home secretary”, adding: “I will have more to say in due course.”

    Suella Braverman ‘sacked for speaking the truth’, right-wing Tory

    09:11 , Archie Mitchell

    Tory infighting began almost immediately after Suella Braverman’s sacking.

    Rishi Sunak had been warned that backbench MPs would revolt if he ousted the home secretary, a flagbearer for the right of the party.

    And minutes after it was confirmed she was leaving government, Andrea Jenkyns said she had been “sacked for speaking the truth”.

    “I support Suella Braverman … sacked for speaking the truth. Bad call by Rishi caving in to the left,” the right-winger said on X.

    David Cameron has been seen entering No10 Downing Street

    09:07 , Andy Gregory

    Our political correspondent Archie Mitchell has more on David Cameron’s suprise appearance in Whitehall this morning:

    Minutes after Rishi Sunak kicked off a major reshuffle by sacking Suella Braverman as home secretary, David Cameron was seen entering Downing Street.

    It is not known why the former PM is there.

    It comes as Tory HQ has said Mr Sunak is “strengthening his team in government to deliver long-term decisions for a brighter future”.

    It is believed foreign secretary James Cleverly is replacing Ms Braverman as home secretary.

    Minister informed of reshuffle live on-air

    09:06 , Andy Gregory

    Armed forces minister James Heappey said he does not “know what is going on” as he was told during a live broadcast interview about Suella Braverman being removed as home secretary during a Cabinet reshuffle by Rishi Sunak.

    Mr Heappey told ITV’s Good Morning Britain (GMB) he had not received any confirmation of that development and that “you know more of what is going on than I do”.

    Asked whether the decision came as a surprise to him, he said: “The prime minister makes these decisions and I’ve said I would not have used the words that the home secretary used in her opinion piece last week.”

    Asked whether he felt Mrs Braverman had done a good job as home secretary, Mr Heappey replied: “The Home Office is an incredibly demanding brief within which there are a number of issues which are very politically contentious and where, frankly, there is no obviously right answer.

    “And in that sense it takes a politician who is courageous and has the confidence in their convictions to do the job well and there are lots of things that Suella Braverman as home secretary has done well.

    “I’ve made no secret in the course of this interview with my disagreement with some of the words she used in her piece [last] week. Your viewers will be enjoying my discomfort but it is in this case difficult to offer commentary when I just don’t know what is going on.”

    David Cameron spotted entering No 10

    09:04 , Andy Gregory

    Former Tory prime minister David Cameron has been spotted entering No 10 this morning, as Rishi Sunak conducts a reshuffle.

    David Cameron has been spotted entering No 10 (screengrab/Sky News)

    James Cleverly has entered Downing Street

    08:55 , Athena Stavrou

    Minutes after Suella Braverman was sacked as home secretary, James Cleverly was seen entering No10 Downing Street.

    The foreign secretary had been tipped as a potential replacement for Ms Braverman amid days of mounting speculation she was to be dismissed.

    Ms Braverman’s sacking sparked a major reshuffle of Rishi Sunak’s top team, which many had expected later this year.

    (PA)

    Rishi Sunak sacks Suella Braverman

    08:47 , Athena Stavrou

    Rishi Sunak has sacked Suella Braverman as home secretary sparking a major reshuffle of his top team.

    After days of intense pressure to axe Ms Braverman, the prime minister asked her to leave the government and she accepted.

    The dramatic move threatens to open up a major rift between Mr Sunak and backbench Tory MPs, with those on the right of the party having threatened to rebel of Ms Braverman was ousted.

    The move kicks off a reshuffle by Mr Sunak which will play out throughout the day.It is not known who will replace Ms Braverman, but Tories who have been tipped for the job include business secretary Kemi Badenoch.

    Other potential candidates include foreign secretary James Cleverly, leader of the House Penny Mordaunt, immigration minister Robert Jenrick and levelling up secretary Michael Gove.

    (REUTERS)

    Minister suggests Braverman could continue in cabinet following potential reshuffle.

    08:16 , Athena Stavrou

    Suella Braverman could continue as Home Secretary following a potential reshuffle by Rishi Sunak, a minister has suggested.

    Asked on LBC whether Mrs Braverman was likely to still be in post by the end of the week, armed forces minister James Heappey said: “That is a matter for the Prime Minister.

    “He and his team at No 10 have been very clear she has his confidence and, in that sense, one would imagine that she will continue.

    “But that is his purview.”

    Asked whether a reshuffle could be about to happen, Mr Heappey replied: “I have no idea whether today is reshuffle day or not.”

    Rishi Sunak has faced growing calls to sack Suella Braverman as Home Secretary (James Manning/PA) (PA Wire)

    Government advisor on political violence and disruptions says balance “does not seem to be in the right place”

    07:40 , Athena Stavrou

    Former Labour MP Lord Walney said the balance “does not seem to be in the right place” when it comes to assessing the rights of protesters and the safety of the Jewish community.

    Asked whether he wanted to see pro-Palestinian marches stopped until a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war is negotiated, he told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme said: “This is difficult because the right for people to protest is really important and there are clearly very strong feelings on this matter.

    “However, I think if you look at the scale of intimidation which Jewish people in London and across the UK are feeling, we should be treating this as a national emergency.”

    He added: “I think for the overwhelming majority of Jewish people, as represented by organisations like the Board of Deputies, like the Community Security Trust, they are living a life of fear at the moment in the United Kingdom, which is not something we should ever tolerate here.

    “We should be prepared to look at where the balance is lying at the moment, and it does not seem to be in the right place.”

    One of Gaza’s largest hospitals ‘no longer functioning’, says WHO

    07:15 , Namita Singh

    One of Gaza’s largest hospitals is no longer operating amid “constant gunfire and bombings in the area”, said the World Health Organisation (WHO).

    This comes amid an intense retaliatory offensive by Israel in the occupied Palestinian enclave after Hamas launched an attack on the southern part of the country on 7 October.

    WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on X/Twitter said the situation has become “dire and perilous” for Gaza’s hospitals.

    Al-Shifa Hospital – one of the largest hospitals in the Gaza Strip – is no longer operating as it should, warned the WHO director-general.

    My colleague Maroosha Muzaffar reports:

    One of Gaza’s largest hospitals ‘no longer functioning’, says WHO

    Attacks by Lebanon’s Hezbollah group wound 7 Israeli troops, 10 others along border with Israel

    07:05 , Namita Singh

    Attacks by Lebanon’s Hezbollah group yesterday wounded seven Israeli troops and 10 other people, Israel’s military and rescue services said. The clashes came as skirmishes between the Iran-backed group and Israeli military continue to intensify along the Lebanon-Israel border, threatening to escalate into another front in the Mideast’s latest war.

    The assault was the most serious incident involving civilians along the Lebanon-Israel border since an Israeli airstrike in south Lebanon on 5 November killed a woman and three children.

    The Israeli army’s chief spokesman, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, said the Hezbollah attack on Israeli civilians was “very serious.”

    He said Israel is focused on its war in Gaza but it also remains at a “very high level of preparedness in the north” and ready to take further action.

    The Israeli military “has operational plans to change the security status in the north,” he told reporters. “The security status will not remain such that the civilians of the north do not feel safe returning to their homes.”

    The Israeli military said in a statement that “seven IDF soldiers were lightly injured as a result of the mortar shell launches in the area of Manara in northern Israel earlier today.” Israeli rescue services did not identify the location or provide information about the 10 others wounded by rocket blasts and shrapnel, but said two of them were in critical condition.

    The two-minute silence of thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters was held to make a point

    06:54 , Namita Singh

    Police put the number of pro-Palestine protesters in London at 300,000 while organisers claimed more than 500,000 had taken part, writes Tom Watling.

    The two-minute silence of pro-Palestinian protesters was held to make a point

    Biden’s national security adviser responds to Israeli hospital attacks in Gaza

    06:21 , Namita Singh

    Joe Biden’s top national security adviser addressed the growing Israeli military offensive in the Gaza Strip in an interview yesterday and defended the Israeli government’s claims asserting that Hamas commanders were hiding in the vicinity of Gaza’s hospitals and medical centres.

    The bloody conflict has shocked millions around the world, both in terms of the initial Hamas terrorist attack and Israel’s military response. The death toll in Gaza continues to climb as Israel’s military vows to destroy the militant group, which is effectively in control of the territory.

    Among the more controversial aspects of the siege is the persistent allegation that Israel’s forces have either deliberately or inadvertantly hit hospitals with airstrikes and other munitions. Doing so would directly violate international law; however, there are exceptions to those established rules, with the main one being if medical buildings are used partially or otherwise for an “act harmful to the enemy”.

    This distinction makes the Israeli government’s assertion that Hamas’s command centres often lie within or beneath hospitals all the more relevant.

    John Bowden has more:

    Biden’s national security adviser responds to Israeli hospital attacks in Gaza

    GOP hopeful Chris Christie visits Israel, says the US must show solidarity in war against Hamas

    06:10 , Namita Singh

    Republican presidential hopeful Chris Christie on Sunday visited Israel, saying the US must stand “shoulder to shoulder” with Israel in its war against the Hamas militant group.

    Mr Christie toured a kibbutz that was ravaged in the 7 October rampage by Hamas militants that triggered the war and was meeting Israeli leaders, wounded soldiers and families of Israeli hostages during his one-day visit. The former New Jersey governor is the first candidate for the 2024 Republican nomination to visit Israel.

    “I came here because I wanted to see this for myself,” Mr Christie said during a tour of Kfar Azza, one of more than 20 towns and villages attacked by Hamas militants on 7 October. Israel says over 1,200 people were killed and 239 others are being held hostage in Gaza.

    Jets buzzed overhead as Mr Christie toured the kibbutz alongside the speaker of Israel’s parliament, Amir Ohana.

    Republican Presidential candidate, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie led by IDF Spokesperson Major Liad Diamond , and Amir Ohana, Speaker of the Knesset, visits Kibbutz Kfar Aza which was attacked by Hamas on 7 October near the Gaza Border on November 2023 in Kfar Aza, Israel (Getty Images)

    Donning a flak jacket and flanked by an entourage of Israeli soldiers, Mr Christie made his way through homes with walls riddled by bullet holes and couches stained with blood. Over a month since the attack, many Kfar Azza houses are burnt-out and destroyed — structures left standing are scribbled with Arabic graffiti.

    “To be able to walk through a neighborhood like this and see what was done to the people, to still be able to walk into one of these homes and smell the death still, a month later, is something that I think the American people need to know.”

    Mr Christie, the 2024 race’s most vocal critic of former president, Donald J Trump, has cast himself as the only Republican willing to directly take him on. Mr Trump has not visited Israel during the current campaign cycle, though President Joe Biden has.

    Biden’s early certitude on Israel gives way to the complexities and casualties of a brutal war

    05:44 , Namita Singh

    In the early days and hours after the horrific Hamas attack on Israeli civilians on 7 October, President Joe Biden spoke with stark declarations and unqualified support for the longtime US ally.

    Now, a month on, that unambiguous backing has given way to the complexities and haunting casualties of the war, and the Biden administration is imploring Israel to rein in some of its tactics to ease civilian suffering in Gaza.

    As condemnation of the conflict has grown around the world, stoking anti-Israel sentiment, the president is also confronting the limits of the US ability to direct the outcome — not only about the war, but what comes after it.

    President Joe Biden walks out of the South Portico towards Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House on 11 November 2023 in Washington, DC (Getty Images)

    “There’s no going back to the status quo as it stood on October the 6th,” Mr Biden said three weeks after the attack. But even if Israel is successful in crippling or eradicating Hamas, there will also need to be a shift in Washington, where successive US administrations have sought to manage the Middle East conflict and where the political will has been lacking to devise ways to end it.

    And yet the path forward is uncertain, at best. “It’s entirely unclear if there is a ‘morning after’,” said Shibley Telhami, the Anwar Sadat Professor for Peace and Development at the University of Maryland. He noted this could be “an extended period of violence at a different scale for many, many months or years to come.”

    “But if there is something possible, they can’t just put a plan on the table,” he added. “They have to take new American positions of their own, that are transformative, that are different, that are like something we have not seen.”

    For news organisations, the flood of Gaza war video is proving to both illuminating and troubling

    05:31 , Namita Singh

    A camera livestreaming the skyline of Gaza City captures streaks of light. Dash-cam video from a car in Israel spots a killer coming into view. A satellite identifies tank tracks in the dirt, and a mall security camera catches the moment a bomb in Gaza detonates.

    While journalists’ access to the war in Gaza is limited, a flood of video from all sorts of sources documents what is — and isn’t — going on.

    At news organizations, sifting through material found online to determine what is real, and to unearth the sometimes unexpected clues that can be used to tie stories together, are increasingly important — and often emotionally overwhelming — jobs.

    More here:

    For news organizations, the flood of Gaza war video is proving both illuminating and troubling

    Heavy fighting rages near main Gaza hospital

    04:50 , Namita Singh

    Health officials and people trapped inside Gaza’s largest hospital rejected Israel‘s claims that it was helping babies and others evacuate yesterday, saying fighting continued just outside the facility where incubators lay idle with no electricity and critical supplies were running out.

    Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dismissed urgent calls for a cease-fire unless it includes the release of all the nearly 240 hostages captured by Hamas in the 7 October rampage that triggered the war.

    A day after Mr Netanyahu said Israel was bringing its “full force” with the aim of ending Hamas’ 16-year rule in Gaza, residents reported heavy airstrikes and shelling, including around Shifa Hospital. Israel, without providing evidence, has accused Hamas of concealing a command post inside and under the compound, allegations denied by Hamas and hospital staff.

    “They are outside, not far from the gates,” said Ahmed al-Boursh, a resident sheltering there.

    The hospital’s last generator ran out of fuel on Saturday, leading to the deaths of three premature babies and four other patients, according to the health ministry. It said another 36 babies are at risk of dying.

    Israel‘s military asserted it placed 300l (79 gallons) of fuel near Shifa overnight for an emergency generator powering incubators for premature babies and coordinated the delivery with hospital officials. But the military said Hamas prevented the hospital from receiving the fuel.

    A Health Ministry spokesperson, Ashraf al-Qidra, disputed the account and also told Al Jazeera the fuel would not be enough to operate the generator an hour. “This is a mockery towards the patients and children,” Mr Al-Qidra said.

    Israel offers to evacuate babies as major Gaza hospital under heavy bombardment

    04:35 , Namita Singh

    Israel offered to evacuate premature babies from major hospitals in northern Gaza, which remained under heavy bombardment yesterday.

    Residents reported heavy airstrikes and shelling overnight on Saturday which continued throughout the day, as Israel accused Hamas of concealing a command post inside and under al-Shifa hospital – without providing any evidence. The allegations were denied by Hamas as well as hospital staff.

    Speaking from inside al-Shifa, where the Gaza health ministry says 1,500 patients remain, spokesperson Ashraf al-Qidra said Israeli fire was “terrorising medical officials and civilians alike”.

    The Palestine Red Crescent Society also announced that the al-Quds hospital in Gaza is “out of service and no longer operational” due to power and fuel outages.

    Maryam Zakir-Hussain has more:

    Israel offers to evacuate babies as major Gaza hospital under heavy bombardment

    Israel claims it offered fuel to besieged Gaza hospital, ‘lies’ says al-Shifa director

    03:40 , Namita Singh

    Israeli officials yesterday said they had offered fuel and evacuation assistance to Gaza’s al-Shifa hospital, where operations were suspended Saturday amid dwindling fuel supplies and an alleged Israeli bombardment on the facility, the territory’s largest hospital. Health officials in Gaza deny receiving any assistance, while Israel denies besieging al-Shifa.

    “We’ve called to evacuate all the patients from that hospital, and 100 or so have already been evacuated,” Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu told CNN.

    “There’s no reason why we can’t just take the patients out of there rather than letting Hamas use it.”

    My colleague Josh Marcus has more:

    Israel claims it offered evacuations and fuel to besieged Gaza hospital

    Lib Dems call for ceasefire in Israel-Gaza war

    03:29 , Namita Singh

    The Liberal Democrats have come out in favour of a ceasefire in the Israel-Gaza war, adding to pressure on Sir Keir Starmer over his stance on the crisis.

    Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey yesterday said that only an “immediate bilateral ceasefire” will resolve the conflict in the Middle East.

    It comes ahead of an attempt by the SNP to use an amendment to the King’s Speech to force a Commons vote on Wednesday demanding a Gaza ceasefire.

    Read the details in this report:

    Lib Dems call for ceasefire in Israel-Gaza war

    US conducts airstrikes against Iran-backed groups in Syria

    03:28 , Namita Singh

    The US military conducted airstrikes on two locations in eastern Syria involving Iranian-backed groups, hitting a training location and a weapons facility, according to the Pentagon and US officials.

    It marks the third time in a bit more than two weeks that the U.S. has retaliated against the militants for what has been a growing number of attacks on bases housing US troops in Iraq and Syria.

    In a statement, defense secretary Lloyd Austin said the strikes targeted sites near Abukama and Mayadin and were used by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps as well as Iran-backed militias.

    More details here:

    US conducts airstrikes against Iran-backed groups in Syria, retaliating for attacks on US troops

    Sunak pledges ‘hard-headed’ foreign policy that helps ‘shape the world’

    03:20 , Namita Singh

    Rishi Sunak will outline his vision for a “hard-headed” foreign policy approach that defends UK values from adversaries at a time for “moral clarity” as war rages in the Middle East and Ukraine.

    The prime minister will speak of the UK’s desire to “shape the world” as he highlights his record on forging international partnerships on defence, trade and migration.

    Mr Sunak, who has claimed he represents change from his Tory predecessors, will pledge to leave behind “past dogmas, assumptions and structures” in dealing with other nations, Downing Street said.

    In a major foreign policy speech on Monday, he will tell international dignitaries and business leaders: “In these dangerous times, we’re not just defending a better vision of the future against those who would destroy it, we’re marshalling our expertise, our people and our alliances to bring that future into being.

    Report:

    Sunak pledges ‘hard-headed’ foreign policy that helps ‘shape the world’

    Sunak seeks clampdown on protests as pressure grows to sack Braverman

    03:07 , Namita Singh

    Rishi Sunak is reportedly planning to strengthen the police’s hand on protests after violence on Armistice Day which some have blamed on Suella Braverman.

    The home secretary’s political future hangs in the balance after she was accused of stoking tensions, with pressure mounting on the prime minister to sack her.

    Speculation is rife at Westminster that he could carry out a ministerial reshuffle as soon as this week which could see her moved.

    Mr Sunak is looking to tighten the laws to make it easier to ban marches and prosecute those glorifying terrorism, according to several newspapers.

    He looks set to press Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley to avoid a repeat of Saturday’s ugly scenes in London when he meets the police chief in the coming days.

    He has said both far-right “thugs” and “those singing antisemitic chants and brandishing pro-Hamas signs and clothing” must face “the full and swift force of the law”.

    Ms Braverman meanwhile doubled down on calls for pro-Palestinian protests to be stopped as she warned that London’s streets are “being polluted by hate, violence and antisemitism” and hit out at “sick” chants and placards at Saturday’s march.

    WHO chief calls for immediate ceasefire amid ‘dire’ situation at hospital

    03:00 , Tara Cobham

    The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) has called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza as he told of the “dire and perilous” situation at the besieged Al-Shifa hospital in the Strip.

    Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the WHO has managed to get in touch with health professionals at the enclave’s largest hospital.

    He said: “It’s been three days without electricity, without water and with very poor internet which has severely impacted our ability to provide essential care.

    “The constant gunfire and bombings in the area have exacerbated the already critical circumstances.

    “Tragically, the number of patient fatalities has increased significantly.

    “Regrettably, the hospital is not functioning as a hospital anymore.

    “The world cannot stand silent while hospitals, which should be safe havens, are transformed into scenes of death, devastation, and despair.

    “Ceasefire. NOW.”

    Biden’s national security adviser responds to Israeli hospital attacks in Gaza

    02:00 , Tara Cobham

    Joe Biden’s top national security adviser addressed the growing Israeli military offensive in the Gaza Strip in an interview on Sunday and defended the Israeli government’s claims asserting that Hamas commanders were hiding in the vicinity of Gaza’s hospitals and medical centres.

    The bloody conflict has shocked millions around the world, both in terms of the initial Hamas terrorist attack and Israel’s military response. The death toll in Gaza continues to climb as Israel’s military vows to destroy the militant group, which is effectively in control of the territory.

    Among the more controversial aspects of the siege is the persistent allegation that Israel’s forces have either deliberately or inadvertantly hit hospitals with airstrikes and other munitions. Doing so would directly violate international law; however, there are exceptions to those established rules, with the main one being if medical buildings are used partially or otherwise for an “act harmful to the enemy”. This distinction makes the Israeli government’s assertion that Hamas’s command centres often lie within or beneath hospitals all the more relevant.

    John Bowden reports:

    Biden’s national security adviser responds to Israeli hospital attacks in Gaza

    Israel’s Netanyahu denies blame for civilian deaths in Gaza

    01:00 , Tara Cobham

    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded to outrage surrounding the mounting civilian death toll in Gaza on Sunday and asserted that Israel was blameless for such bloodshed.

    Mr Netanyahu appeared on CNN’s State of the Union on Sunday for an interview with Dana Bash, and was asked by Bash to respond to criticism of the Israeli military’s brutal siege of Gaza in response to a massive and deadly terrorist attack committed by Hamas militants last month.

    The prime minister responded that “the blame should be placed squarely on Hamas” for deaths in Gaza. He went on to claim that the Israeli military’s shift to a ground-based invasion of the occupied Palestinian territory had actually “reduced” what would have been an even higher civilian death toll resulting from a bombing campaign, which he suggested was the only alternative.

    John Bowden reports:

    Israel’s Netanyahu denies blame for civilian deaths in Gaza

    Sunak set to ‘majorly toughen protest laws’

    00:03 , Tara Cobham

    Rishi Sunak is set to “majorly toughen protest laws” after far-right thugs targeted police amid a day of hate and violence in London on Saturday.

    The Prime Minister is expected to clamp down in five areas, according to The Sun, including lowering the threshold at which police can ban marches and tightening laws on glorifying terrorists.

    The use of flares and fireworks as well as climbing on statues and bus stops will all be outlawed at protests under the new plans, added the newspaper.

    Israel claims it offered fuel to besieged Gaza hospital, ‘lies’ says director

    00:00 , Tara Cobham

    Israeli officials said on Sunday they had offered fuel and evacuation assistance to Gaza’s al-Shifa hospital, where operations were suspended Saturday amid dwindling fuel supplies and an alleged Israeli bombardment on the facility, the territory’s largest hospital. Health officials in Gaza deny receiving any assistance, while Israel denies besieging al-Shifa.

    “We’ve called to evacuate all the patients from that hospital, and 100 or so have already been evacuated,” Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu told CNN.

    “There’s no reason why we can’t just take the patients out of there rather than letting Hamas use it.”

    Josh Marcus reports:

    Israel claims it offered evacuations and fuel to besieged Gaza hospital

    Lib Dems call for ceasefire in Israel-Gaza war

    Sunday 12 November 2023 22:59 , Tara Cobham

    The Liberal Democrats have come out in favour of a ceasefire in the Israel-Gaza war, adding to pressure on Sir Keir Starmer over his stance on the crisis.

    Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey said on Sunday that only an “immediate bilateral ceasefire” will resolve the conflict in the Middle East.

    It comes ahead of an attempt by the SNP to use an amendment to the King’s Speech to force a Commons vote on Wednesday demanding a Gaza ceasefire.

    Sophie Wingate reports:

    Lib Dems call for ceasefire in Israel-Gaza war

    BTP arrest man following claims woman told ‘to go back home’

    Sunday 12 November 2023 22:43 , Tara Cobham

    British Transport Police has arrested a man in his 40s, following claims a man “accosted” a Muslim woman at Charing Cross Station on Saturday and told her “to go back home”, before calling her a “rat” and a “terrorist”.

    The force said the man has been arrested for racially aggravated public order offences and is currently in police custody.

    Braverman ‘demeans her office by whipping up divisions’, Starmer warns

    Sunday 12 November 2023 21:45 , Tara Cobham

    Sir Keir Starmer has accused Suella Braverman of “whipping up division” and “sowing the seeds of hatred and distrust” ahead of Armistice Day commemorations that saw far-right thugs clash with police.

    The Labour leader accused Ms Braverman of “demeaning the office” of home secretary by accusing police of bias for allowing the pro-Palestine march through London to go ahead, and piled fresh pressure on Rishi Sunak to sack her.

    He joined a slew of senior Tories, as well as London Mayor Sadiq Khan and Scottish first minister Humza Yousaf who blamed Ms Braverman for stoking tensions that led to far-right protesters target police.

    Archie Mitchell, Political Correspondent reports:

    Suella Braverman ‘demeans her office by whipping up divisions’, Keir Starmer warns

    Dorries questions if Gove was ‘drunk’ when confronted by Palestine protesters

    Sunday 12 November 2023 21:15 , Tara Cobham

    Nadine Dorries has questioned if Michael Gove was “drunk” while walking through central London on Saturday 11 November.

    “What was Michael Gove doing in the middle of Victoria station on a day when every other sensible politician would not want to make the police’s job any harder? Was he drunk? What was he doing there?” Ms Dorries asked, during an appearance on the BBC.

    She then clarified that she was “coining a phrase” rather than actually accusing Mr Gove of being drunk.

    Oliver Browning reports:

    Nadine Dorries asks if Michael Gove was ‘drunk’ when confronted by London protesters

    Israel offers to evacuate babies as major Gaza hospital under heavy bombardment

    Sunday 12 November 2023 20:45 , Tara Cobham

    Israel offered to evacuate premature babies from major hospitals in northern Gaza which remained under heavy bombardment on Sunday.

    Residents reported heavy airstrikes and shelling overnight on Saturday which continued throughout the day, as Israel accused Hamas of concealing a command post inside and under Al-Shifa hospital – without providing any evidence. The allegations were denied by Hamas as well as hospital staff.

    Speaking from inside Al-Shifa, where the Gaza health ministry says 1,500 patients remain, spokesperson Ashraf Al-Qidra said Israeli fire was “terrorising medical officials and civilians alike”. The Palestine Red Crescent Society also announced that the al-Quds hospital in Gaza is “out of service and no longer operational” due to power and fuel outages.

    Maryam Zakir-Hussain reports:

    Israel offers to evacuate babies as major Gaza hospital under heavy bombardment

    Now Braverman praises ‘brave’ police – but says ‘streets are being polluted by hate’

    Sunday 12 November 2023 20:15 , Tara Cobham

    Suella Braverman has doubled down on her attacks on pro-Palestine protesters, claiming the streets of London are “polluted by hate, violence, and antisemitism”.

    The home secretary condemned violence against police on Armistice Day as “outrageous”, despite having been blamed for whipping up the far-right mob that descended on London on Saturday.

    She refused to back down on her criticism of protesters, attacking what she called “sick,inflammatory and, in some cases, clearly criminal chants” on the pro-Palestine march, adding: “This can’t go on.”

    Archie Mitchell, Political Correspondent reports:

    Now Braverman praises ‘brave’ police – but says ‘streets are being polluted by hate’

    Police hunt for far-right thugs and pro-Palestine activists after protest chaos

    Sunday 12 November 2023 19:45 , Tara Cobham

    Police are searching for people in relation to racially aggravated and anti-Semitic ‘hate crimes’ from yesterday’s pro-Palestine march and far-right counterprotest.

    Organisers say 500,000 attendees marched in support of a ceasefire in Gaza, while a violent counterprotest broke out as far-right activists joined Tommy Robinson ‘to defend the cenotaph’. Robinson led a march through Chinatown and clashes broke out between self-proclaimed patriots and officers.

    The Metropolitan Police have charged seven people as investigations continue into yesterday’s disorder in central London. Officers made 145 arrests during the main demonstration and the counter-protest by far-right groups, the force said.

    Lydia Patrick reports:

    Police hunt for far-right thugs and pro-Palestine activists after protest chaos

    Photo essay: Among the protestors on the pro-Palestine march

    Sunday 12 November 2023 19:14 , Tara Cobham

    Photographer Antony Medley spent Armistice Day with the hundreds of thousands of marchers in London — and captured these pictures for The Independent.

    Photo essay: among the protestors on the pro-Palestine march

    Shapps refuses to say if Braverman will still be home secretary next week

    Sunday 12 November 2023 18:47 , Archie Mitchell, Political Correspondent

    Grant Shapps has refused to say if Suella Braverman will still be home secretary next week amid growing calls for her to be sacked.

    The defence secretary said “a week is a long time in politics” and he would “never make predictions about these things” as it was a matter for the prime minister.

    His refusal to back Ms Braverman comes as she faces mounting pressure to quit having been accused of inciting a mob of far-right protesters to descend on London and attack police on Armistice Day.

    Read more here:

    Grant Shapps refuses to say if Braverman will still be home secretary next week

    Shapps appears to compare Israel’s attack on Gaza to Allied bombing of Dresden

    Sunday 12 November 2023 18:20 , Tara Cobham

    Defence Secretary Grant Shapps has stirred controversy when he appeared to compare the Israeli military’s attack on Gaza to the Allied bombing of Dresden during World War II, which almost completely destroyed the German city.

    Laura Kuenssberg asked Mr Shapps on her BBC programme on Sunday if he believed that Israel is acting proportionately in its large-scale attack on the Strip in retaliation for Hamas’ bloody 7 October attack.

    He replied: “We’ve sort of forgotten that in war, very sadly, people lose their lives. When Britain bombed Dresden, 35,000 people apparently lost their lives. People die in war.”

    Police release over 90 people arrested for breach of peace

    Sunday 12 November 2023 17:54 , Tara Cobham

    The 91 people who were arrested to prevent a breach of the peace in Pimlico as they tried to confront the main pro-Palestinian march have since been released, the Metropolitan Police has said.

    The force said it is “normal” for those arrested in these cases to be released “once the imminent threat has passed”.

    It added that those who were arrested for other matters in addition to a breach of the peace are being dealt with for those offences.

    Police officers detain a man in the street close to the ‘National March For Palestine’ in central London on Saturday (AFP via Getty Images)

    Braverman says streets ‘polluted by hate’ as she doubles down on criticism of protesters

    Sunday 12 November 2023 17:20 , Tara Cobham

    Suella Braverman has said the streets of London are “polluted by hate, violence and antisemitism” as she doubled down on her criticism of pro-Palestinian protestors despite the violent targeting of police by far-right thugs that she has been accused of inflaming.

    In her first public comments since thousands of far-right hooligans descended on London to disrupt Armistice Day commemorations on Saturday, the Home Secretary condemned antisemitic chants and placards at the pro-Palestinian march and called for “further action”.

    Writing on social media site X, the under-fire Home Secretary said: “The sick, inflammatory and, in some cases, clearly criminal chants, placards and paraphernalia openly on display at the march mark a new low. Antisemitism and other forms of racism together with the valorising of terrorism on such a scale is deeply troubling.

    “This can’t go on. Week by week, the streets of London are being polluted by hate, violence, and antisemitism. Members of the public are being mobbed and intimidated. Jewish people in particular feel threatened. Further action is necessary.”

    Suella Braverman has said the streets of London are “polluted by hate, violence and antisemitism” as she doubled down on her criticism of pro-Palestinian protestors (AFP via Getty Images)

    Met Police issues six appeals with more expected to follow

    Sunday 12 November 2023 17:18 , Tara Cobham

    The Metropolitan Police has so far issued appeals in relation to six incidents in the wake of Saturday’s protests and said it expects more will follow.

    Deputy Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, who led the Metropolitan Police’s operation on Saturday, said: “Public order policing doesn’t end when demonstrators go home. We have teams of officers who continue to build cases against those in custody and launch investigations into those who come to our attention when images and videos are shared on social media.

    “Since the end of yesterday’s demonstration we’ve published appeals in relation to six incidents and I have no doubt there will be more to follow. Our colleagues at the British Transport Police have published a further two appeals.

    “We urge anyone who has information about the identity of suspects, or who has footage or photos of further potential offences, to get in touch so we can take the appropriate action.”

    Met Police confirms 145 arrests made on Saturday

    Sunday 12 November 2023 16:35 , Tara Cobham

    Officers made 145 arrests during the Pro-Palestinian demonstration and counter-protest by far-right groups on Saturday, said the Metropolitan Police.

    The majority of those arrested were members of far-right groups.

    The offences include assault, possession of weapons, criminal damage, public order, inciting racial hatred and possession of drugs.

    Seven men have so far been charged and the force said investigations continue into a number of other incidents.

    Seven men charged following Armistice Day protests

    Sunday 12 November 2023 16:20 , Tara Cobham

    The following seven people have been charged by the Metropolitan Police following the protests in London on Armistice Day.

    John Harvey, 75, of Pamela Street, Hackney was charged with criminal damage. He was remanded to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 13 November.

    Ethan Stapely, 23, of Bradwell, Norfolk was charged with resisting arrest. He was remanded to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 13 November.

    Sam Fairclough, 33, of Buckley, Flintshire was charged with possession of an offensive weapon. He has been bailed to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 1 December.

    Taylor Warne, 21, of Hastingleigh, Kent was charged with possession of class A drugs. He has been bailed to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 30 November.

    James Buckley, 42, of Manchester, Greater Manchester was charged with possession of an offensive weapon. He has been bailed to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 30 November.

    William Duncan, 48, of Armadale, West Lothian was charged with being drunk and disorderly. He has been bailed to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 30 November.

    Karl Jordan, 47, of Burlington Lane, Hounslow was charged with assault on an emergency worker. He has been bailed to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 30 November.

    Gove thanks police after he was mobbed by pro-Palestinian demonstrators

    Sunday 12 November 2023 16:18 , Tara Cobham

    Michael Gove has thanked police after he was mobbed by pro-Palestinian demonstrators at Victoria station amid a day fraught with tensions over a rally and counter-protests on Armistice Day.

    Footage shared on social media showed the senior Cabinet minister flanked by a large police contingent trying to keep dozens of demonstrators away from him as he passed through the London railway station on Saturday.

    In a post on X, the Levelling Up Secretary said on Sunday: “I’m very grateful for so many kind messages in the last 24 hours. I’d like to thank the police for their exemplary work getting me home safely yesterday.”

    Braverman U-turns to praise ‘brave’ police after day of protest violence

    Sunday 12 November 2023 15:44 , Tara Cobham

    Suella Braverman has made a stunning U-turn to praise “brave” police after she was accused of inflaming the far-right thugs who violently targeted officers at a pro-Palestinian march on Saturday.

    In her first public comments since thousands of hooligans descended on London to disrupt Armistice Day commemorations, the Home Secretary tweeted: “Our brave police officers deserve the thanks of every decent citizen for their professionalism in the face of violence and aggression from protesters and counter-protesters in London yesterday.”

    Police appeal after incidents at London train stations on Armistice Day

    Sunday 12 November 2023 15:23 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

    Appeals have been launched to identify five people after footage circulated online of incidents at London train stations on Armistice Day.

    British Transport Police released images of four men they want to speak to after what the force say was a racially aggravated altercation at Waterloo station on Saturday.

    The force also released an image of a woman they want to speak to after an alleged antisemitic hate crime at Victoria station.

    The 90-second video posted online of the incident at Waterloo station shows men swearing repeatedly, including shouting “terrorist f******” and “we were born in this country”.

    A separate video was shared on social media which shows an argument before one person appears to shout “death to all the Jews” at Victoria station.

    It comes after dozens of counter-protesters were arrested as hundreds of thousands of people took part in a pro-Palestinian demonstration in central London on Saturday.

    Man in his 40s arrested after incident at Charing Cross Station

    Sunday 12 November 2023 14:31 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

    British Transport Police have arrested a man in his 40s for “racially aggravated public order offences” following an incident at Charing Cross Station on Saturday.

    US does not want to see firefights in Gaza hospitals

    Sunday 12 November 2023 14:21 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

    The United States wants to avoid armed fighting inside hospitals in the Gaza Strip, which endangers the lives of civilians, and has conveyed its view to Israeli forces, White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told CBS News on Sunday.

    “The United States does not want to see firefights in hospitals where innocent people, patients receiving medical care, are caught in the crossfire and we’ve had active consultations with the Israeli Defense Forces on this,” Sullivan told CBS News’ “Face the Nation” program.

    Israel‘s army said it was ready to evacuate babies from Gaza‘s largest hospital, but Palestinian officials said people were still trapped inside it, with two newborns dead and dozens at risk from a power outage amid intense fighting nearby.

    Al-Shifa and other hospitals in northern Gaza, the focus of Israel‘s month-old war to wipe out Hamas and free hostages held by the militants, are barely able to care for patients. More people are wounded daily by fierce Israeli bombardment.

    Sullivan said that open-source information indicated that “Hamas is using hospitals as it uses many other civilian facilities, for command and control, for weapons storage, to house its fighters. And this is a violation of the laws of war.”

    He also said the United States continues to move U.S. citizens out of Gaza.

    “The gate has been open and closed. The lists have included Americans some days and not other days. But the bottom line is, today the gate is open. We are moving American citizens and their families members out,” he said.

    (REUTERS)

    Police release images following incident at Waterloo on Saturday

    Sunday 12 November 2023 13:56 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

    British Transport Police have released images following an incident at Waterloo Station on Saturday.

    The blunt truth is that Suella Braverman has next to no chance of becoming Tory leader

    Sunday 12 November 2023 13:43 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

    If Rishi Sunak is holding back from ridding himself of his troublesome home secretary because he fears boosting her leadership campaign, he shouldn’t, John Rentoul writes:

    It was a mistake for Rishi Sunak to have appointed Suella Braverman as home secretary in the first place, said Gavin Barwell, Theresa May’s former chief of staff. Indeed, so said The Independent, in its editorial at the time.

    Although it depends on your definition of “mistake”. As George Osborne, another former player turned commentator, often says, the first rule in politics is to know how to count. Sunak understood that he needed to cut some deals to get his hands on the levers of power. One of those deals was with Braverman, who could deliver a small but significant group of Tory MPs, the rump of the once-feared European Research Group of Eurosceptics, which she had chaired.

    Suella Braverman has next to no chance of becoming Tory leader | John Rentoul

    Shapps refuses to say if Braverman will still be home secretary next week: ‘A week is a long time in politics’

    Sunday 12 November 2023 13:25 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

    Grant Shapps has refused to say if Suella Braverman will still be home secretary next week amid growing calls for her to be sacked.

    The defence secretary said “a week is a long time in politics” and he would “never make predictions about these things” as it was a matter for the prime minister.

    His refusal to back Ms Braverman comes as she faces mounting pressure to quit having been accused of inciting a mob of far-right protesters to descend on London and attack police on Armistice Day.

    Grant Shapps refuses to say if Braverman will still be home secretary next week

    The two-minute silence of thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters was done to make a point

    Sunday 12 November 2023 13:10 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

    Police put the number of pro-Palestine protesters in London at 300,000 while organisers claimed more than 500,000 had taken part, writes Tom Watling:

    As the hundreds of thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters gathered from the US embassy, back across Vauxhall Bridge and all the way to Buckingham Palace just after 3pm on Saturday, a hush fell.

    A cacophony of chants subsided as demonstrators were asked to use Armistice Day to remember the thousands who have died in Gaza over the past five weeks, many of whom are children.

    Husam Zumlot, the Palestinian ambassador to the UK, told those gathered that the march was “a reminder that it is only once the guns fall silent that peace can be achieved”.

    “Today we remember those who lost their lives in war and we remember those who are still falling today,” he said.

    The two-minute silence of pro-Palestinian protesters was done to make a point

    ‘From the river to the sea’: Why a 6-word phrase sparks fury and passion over the Israel-Hamas war

    Sunday 12 November 2023 12:55 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

    “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” pro-Palestinian activists from London to Rome and Washington chanted in the volatile aftermath of Israel’s bloodiest day. Adopting or defending it can be costly for public figures, such as U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, who was censured by the House on Tuesday.

    But like so much of the Mideast conflict, what the phrase means depends on who is telling the story — and which audience is hearing it.

    Read more here:

    ‘From the river to the sea’: Why a 6-word phrase sparks fury and passion

    Beatings, threats at gunpoint and fleeing in terror: Inside the most aggressive West Bank land grab in 50 years

    Sunday 12 November 2023 12:40 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

    Bel Trew visits villages in the occupied West Bank and hears harrowing tales of settler violence in which Palestinian families describe being forced from their homes – in what human rights groups say is the single biggest land grab since Israel captured the region in 1967:

    The man in Israeli military uniform sliced off Mohamed’s clothes with a knife, urinated on him, and then, after relentlessly beating him, tried to rape him with a stick. He details the assault that took place in the village of Wadi al-Siq, about 20 miles northeast of Jerusalem in the occupied West Bank.

    Mohamed Mattar, 46, a Palestinian activist and humanitarian, had come to this Bedouin community to assist 30 Palestinian families that lived there. They appealed for help as attacks by Israeli settlers across the occupied West Bank had surged and become dangerously violent in the aftermath of Hamas’s brutal attack in southern Israel on 7 October.

    Inside the most aggressive West Bank land grab in more than 50 years

    Gaza’s Al Ahli Hospital ‘runs out of blood’

    Sunday 12 November 2023 12:24 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

    British Palestinian Dr Ghassan Abu-Sitta said Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza has “run out of blood”.

    Posting online from Gaza, he said: “We have run out of blood at Al Ahli hosital. Our wounded are dieing after surgery because we cant transfuse them.”

    Watch: King Charles lays wreath at Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday

    Sunday 12 November 2023 11:58 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

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