MPs’ attacks on judges a huge threat to the rule of law, says attorney general

Political attacks on judges are “dangerous” and “a huge threat to the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary”, the attorney general has said in a direct rebuke to the shadow justice secretary.Richard Hermer said politics was entering a “dangerous moment” where politicians were “attacking judges on a personal basis” on the floor of the House of Commons.He made the intervention after Robert Jenrick, the shadow justice secretary, criticised a senior judge in the Commons on Tuesday. Jenrick called for Lord Justice Davis, the head of the Sentencing Council for England and Wales, to be sacked amid a row over new sentencing guidelines.Speaking to parliament’s joint committee on human rights, Hermer said that “we are entering a dangerous moment in which not simply on social media but indeed on the floor of the House of Commons, people are attacking judges on a personal basis

Reeves says hasty response to Trump tariffs could put ‘prize’ of economic deal at risk – as it happened

Reeves says the government will respond to the Trump tariffs in a calm way. She says he met big exporters this morning, and they support this approach too.She says “the prize on offer is an economic agreement” and businesses do not want the government to do anything that would put this at risk.The UK has “prepared for all eventualities” when it comes to looming US tariffs, with no response ruled out, Keir Starmer has told MPs before Donald Trump’s so-called liberation day, which could spark a global trade war.Rachel Reeves, the chancellor, has told MPs that the government does not want to give a hasty response to the Trump tariffs because it does not want to put the “prize” of an economic deal with the US at risk

Patrick Harvie to stand down as co-leader of Scottish Greens

Patrick Harvie, the UK’s longest serving parliamentary leader, has announced he is standing down as co-convener of the Scottish Greens after nearly 17 years in the role.An MSP since 2003, Harvie, 52, had recently taken leave of absence from Holyrood for an operation and recuperation. He announced on Wednesday he would not contest this summer’s party leadership election.The MSP said it had been “an extraordinary privilege” to have led the party. He became the first Green politician in the UK to serve in government, along with his co-convener, Lorna Slater, in a power-sharing deal he brokered with Nicola Sturgeon in 2021

UK prepared for all eventualities, says Starmer as new Trump tariffs loom

The UK has “prepared for all eventualities” when it comes to looming US tariffs, with no response ruled out, Keir Starmer has told MPs before Donald Trump’s so-called liberation day, which could spark a global trade war.Challenged by Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative leader, at prime minister’s questions on Wednesday, Starmer said while all options were being considered, he would avoid any kneejerk reactions.Starmer told the Commons in his opening remarks: “Let me be clear with the house, a trade war is in nobody’s interest, and the country deserves, and we will take, a calm, pragmatic approach.“That is why constructive talks are progressing to agree a wider economic prosperity deal with the US. That is why we are working with all industries and sectors likely to be impacted

UK won’t engage in ‘kneejerk’ response to Trump tariffs, says minister

The UK government will not engage in a “kneejerk” response to any tariffs imposed by Donald Trump, as it warned there would be a “difficult period” ahead in trade relations with the US and called for calm.The US president is to announce his latest round of tariffs on Wednesday – which he has called “liberation day” – sparking concerns over a global trade war.The prime minister, Keir Starmer, and the chancellor, Rachel Reeves, will face questions from MPs in parliament before the anticipated new tariffs that could derail their economic plans.Speaking before the announcement, Bridget Phillipson, the education secretary, said the government had been “working through every eventuality”.“We do recognise this is likely to be a very challenging period,” she told BBC Breakfast

Disabled MPs speak of difficulties they face working in UK parliament

MPs with disabilities have spoken about the challenges they face working in parliament, criticising the “insane” lack of provisions and arcane, time-consuming procedures.Lucy Powell, the Commons leader, who also chairs its modernisation committee, said she would be “very in favour of” bringing in call lists for when MPs will speak, one of the adjustments called for by MPs in the committee. Such lists are used for ministerial questions but not for debates, beyond a period during Covid.Powell was speaking after the committee heard evidence from a series of current and former MPs with disabilities about the difficulties of working in the parliamentary estate. Marie Tidball, a Labour MP elected in 2024, said she had been given an accessible office and that staff and party whips had been very helpful but said the method of speaking in Commons debates was very hard for her