Why it was such a joy to interview John Prescott and discover his sweet, sad soul | Rachel Cooke

One of the bad things that comes with being a middle-aged interviewer, as opposed to a younger one, is the tendency to complain loudly that people in public life used to be so much less controlled, so much more wild and free and apt to say the wrong (the interesting) thing.No one likes a nostalgist, after all. But in the case of politicians, I’m afraid there’s no getting away from it. In 2024, unbridled they aren’t. Every word is rehearsed

Starmer seeks to hire EU negotiator in pursuit of relations reset

Ministers are hiring a new EU negotiator as Keir Starmer seeks to reset Britain’s relationship with Europe.The post, worth at least £153,000 a year and advertised by the Cabinet Office, would act as a representative for all of the UK’s dealings with the bloc.The role is described as “principal adviser to the prime minister and the minister for European Union relations [Nick Thomas-Symonds] on matters relating to relations with the EU and delivering the ‘EU reset’ and on international economic issues”.The applicant would also represent the prime minister at negotiations.The trade and cooperation agreement, the basis for the UK-EU relationship after Brexit, will be subject to renewal talks in 2025

Anti-racism campaigner’s London book events cancelled amid threat of far-right violence

Hanif Kureishi, Billy Bragg and freedom of speech groups have voiced alarm after a number of venues cancelled events to promote a book by an anti-racism campaigner amid threats and fears that the recent riots have emboldened the far right.An east London bookshop this week became the latest venue to pull plans to promote Rebel Sounds, a book about the role music plays in the fight against racism and other struggles.It follows the scrapping of similar events at bookshops and pubs over the last few weeks, and the cancellation by the BFI London film festival (LFF) last month of a screening of a documentary about the far right.Joe Mulhall, the author of Rebel Sounds and director of research at the anti-racism organisation Hope Not Hate, said: “Sadly, it feels like we are going backwards.”Mulhall held an event at a secret location last Sunday night after a pub cancelled what was intended to be an evening of discussion and music about the book

Reform UK MP James McMurdock was detained as a teenager for ‘kicking’ former girlfriend

The Reform UK MP James McMurdock was apparently detained as a teenager for repeatedly kicking his then girlfriend, it has emerged, despite him previously claiming she was hurt after he pushed her.According to court records released to the Times, McMurdock spent 21 days in a young offender institution after kicking the victim “around four times” in an incident outside a nightclub in Chelmsford when he was 19.McMurdock, who became Reform’s fifth MP after winning the Essex seat of South Basildon and East Thurrock by 98 votes at the general election, gave a different account of events shortly after his victory.Later in July, the mother of his former girlfriend told the Mail that the new MP was “a monster” who had “left marks on her body”, saying: “It took two security guards to pull him off her.”In response to her comments, McMurdock told the paper: “A generous person might call it a teenage indiscretion, but I do not expect everyone to be so kind

UK politics: UK would comply with Netanyahu arrest warrant, says No 10 – as it happened

Downing Street has hinted that Benjamin Netanyahu would be arrested if he arrived in the UK after an international arrest warrant was issued for him.The prime minister’s official spokesperson said they would “not get into hypotheticals” when asked if the Israeli prime minister would be detained if he arrived on British soil.“I’m not going to get ahead of the process or provide commentary on individual cases,” he said.But, PA Media reports, asked if the UK would comply with the law, he said: “The UK will always comply with its legal obligations as set out by domestic law and indeed international law.”Home secretary Yvette Cooper was coy on the subject during her morning media round appearances earlier

Pro-Brexit views not protected from workplace discrimination, tribunal rules

Supporting Brexit is not a belief that is protected from workplace discrimination, an employment tribunal has ruled, as a former Ukip councillor lost her claim that she was bullied and harassed by her charity employer because she supported the UK’s departure from the EU.Colette Fairbanks was sacked from her job at the drug and alcohol rehabilitation charity Change Grow Live after sharing “offensive” posts about immigrants on social media, a tribunal hearing was told.Fairbanks argued that her political views were philosophical beliefs protected by the Equality Act. These included a belief the UK should be outside of the EU, an opposition to illegal migration and being happy to leave the European convention on human rights.However the tribunal found that these were not beliefs protected by the Equality Act