Publication

We see you: Putin warned over spy subs in UK waters

Britain has issued a warning to Vladimir Putin after Russian attack and spy submarines were found operating in the North Atlantic. Defence secretary John Healey said British forces responded to “increased Russian activity” near vital cables and...

US: Iran 'begged' for truce - and must dig up hidden uranium

● White House declares 'capital V for military victory' with two-week ceasefire ● Any new peace deal will require Tehran to hand over buried nuclear material ● Trump claims he's agreed 'joint venture' with Iran to reopen Strait of Hormuz ● Israel...

Trump warns 'a whole civilisation will die tonight'

Donald Trump has been widely condemned for issuing an astonishing threat to Iran’s regime over its failure to meet US demands. “A whole civilisation will die tonight, never to be brought back again,” the president said yesterday. His remarkable...

Consultants warn of weeks of chaos by striking doctors

Healthcare leaders have criticised striking resident doctors, warning that the sixday walkout will cause weeks of chaos for patients. Senior medics told The Independent the industrial action, which begins today, could be the most disruptive strike yet,...

Afghans stranded by MoD blunder asked for help

Thousands of Afghans who were put at risk after their data was leaked by the Ministry of Defence in a catastrophic blunder are still waiting to be brought to safety in the UK, more than six months after the scandal. Around 400 people who supported...

Rift with Trump over Iran boosts PM’s popularity

New evidence backing the popularity of Sir Keir Starmer’s decision to stand up to Donald Trump over the Iran war has emerged. The PM’s personal approval rating increases by 26 points when voters are reminded of his spat with the US president, according...

Spiralling cost of Trump's war, one month on

$120 peak oil price per barrel so far (9 March) 36% Trump's record low approval rating (Reuters/Ipsos) £307m extra paid by drivers for petrol and diesel (RAC Foundation) 850 Tomahawk missiles fired by the US costing $3.5m each 1,000,000 displaced...

Britain's economy is the worst hit by Trump's Iran war

Britain faces the biggest economic blow of all major global economies from Donald Trump’s war on Iran, with growth slashed and inflation surging. The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development said the UK looks set to be hit particularly...

Trump’s trail of destruction will take decades to clear

Since the closure of the US Agency for International Development last summer, cuts in overseas aid budgets have

Reeves leaves public in the dark over energy support

The International Energy Agency has warned that the present energy crisis, severe as it is, could become the worst in history. Given that, the chancellor of the Exchequer is right to undertake contingency planning now. Yet as things stand with the...

Trump halts bombs but Iran says talks claim is 'fake news'

Donald Trump’s war on Iran was thrown into confusion after he paused his bombing campaign, saying there had been negotiations, only for Tehran to reject the claim as “fake news”. The US president said both sides had “very good and productive...

Britain is safe from Iran's long-range missiles - minister

Britain is safe from Iranian missiles, a cabinet minister has insisted, playing down claims Tehran has firepower capable of reaching the UK. Israel issued a stark warning that Iranian weapons are a threat to European cities after two missiles were...

UK fury over Iran ‘reckless attacks’ on Diego Garcia

The foreign secretary Yvette Cooper has condemned an Iranian airstrike on the joint US-UK Diego Garcia military base. Tehran’s unsuccessful attack appeared to have been launched before Sir Keir Starmer approved use of the remote airfield for US bombers...

Iran warns Britain: You're now a target for helping Trump

The government has warned Tehran not to target British interests after Iran accused the UK of “participating in aggression” as part of the US war and said it had a right to respond. The Iranian foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, criticised Sir Keir...

Stop the madness now - end this war before it's too late

Declare victory if you must. Claim Iran's military is degraded and its nuclear programme (which your intelligence chief says posed no threat) is neutralised. But as oil prices spiral out of control, it's time to show the world that you - not Netanyahu...

Overrun NHS totally unprepared for new Covid-level pandemic

The NHS would struggle to cope with a second pandemic, top doctors have said. Health leaders warned that overrun emergency departments, corridor care and soaring waiting lists mean hospitals are in a worse position to take on extra pressures than...

Trump's tantrum: We don't need Nato help againts Iran

Donald Trump lashed out at US allies yesterday after they rejected his call for help to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The president described Nato’s refusal as a “foolish mistake”, before insisting: “We do not need the help of anyone!” His outburst came...

'Not Nato's war': Allies reject Trump's call for help in Strait of Hormuz

Nato’s leading members have dismissed Donald Trump’s demands for assistance in the war against Iran, with Germany insisting that the conflict has “nothing to do” with the alliance. Mr Trump had called on allies to help police the Strait of Hormuz,...

Starmer to promise help for homes hit by soaring heating bills

Tens of millions of pounds will be set aside to support the poorest households with spiralling energy bills, Sir Keir Starmer will announce, as he tries to ease the chaos sparked by the Middle East conflict. Vowing to support working people “whatever...

Trump urges UK to send warships to Strait of Hormuz

Donald Trump has called on Britain and others to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz in an effort to break Iran’s blockade of the key oil shipping route. Piling pressure on other nations to step up their involvement in the war, the US president urged...

Britain warns Trump: lifting Putin sanctions aids his war machine

Sir Keir Starmer has risked a fresh rift with Donald Trump by confirming Britain won’t follow the US in temporarily lifting sanctions on Russian oil, saying it risks helping Vladimir Putin’s war machine. Mr Trump’s decision to issue an exemption for...

Iran targets our troops as UK sets sights on vital Strait of Hormuz

British troops in Iraq shot down two Iranian drones after their base came under attack, it has emerged, as defence secretary John Healey refused to rule out deploying warships in the latest sign that the UK could be dragged into Donald Trump’s war....

Mandelson papers: Starmer did ignore Epstein warnings

Sir Keir Starmer’s judgement is under fresh attack after new papers reveal he was warned in detail about the dangers of appointing Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the United States. Documents show the prime minister was told Lord Mandelson had “close...

Lammy’s jury curbs are a useful tool – within limits

The facts, as lawyers say, are not in dispute. No one, not even the Conservative opposition that bequeathed the mess, seriously argues that all is well in Britain’s criminal justice system. Our prisons are overcrowded, and the courts are overwhelmed...

Reeves delivers inflation warning as oil prices soar

Sir Keir Starmer said yesterday that Donald Trump’s war on Iran will hit the UK economy as Rachel Reeves warned of “months of upward pressure on inflation”. Every household and business could be affected, the prime minister said as oil prices soared...

Iran war threatens to bring energy crisis to UK

The widening Iran war could send oil prices soaring, Qatar warned yesterday, as US and Israeli bombs pounded energy facilities in Tehran. The Gulf state’s energy minister said it could take his country months to return to its normal delivery pattern...

The Influence List

PLUS INSIDE Chloe Kelly / Margaret Aspinall / Rose Wylie / Rachel Reeves

Trump: Give me total surrender -and I will make Iran great again

US president Donald Trump says Iran’s “unconditional surrender” is the only way to end the US-Israel war with the country, as the conflict entered its seventh day. The US and Israel have battered Iran with strikes since last Saturday, targeting its...

Lion-hearted Zelensky is the true heir to Churchill

It is a pity that the president has always tragically failed to recognise that he has already met and dealt with someone who has inherited the mantle of that old lion: Volodymyr Zelensky. Like the hero of Britain’s finest hour, President Zelensky...

War spreads across world as US says: We have only just begun

Donald Trump’s war with Iran widened beyond the Middle East yesterday as Nato was forced to intercept a missile headed for Turkey and the US torpedoed an Iranian frigate off Sri Lanka, killing dozens. While Washington hailed its first sinking of an...

Starmer's 'no Churchill' says Trump as warship is deployed to Cyprus

Sir Keir Starmer has deployed the Royal Navy warship HMS Dragon and a fleet of armed helicopters to Cyprus in a major escalation of Britain’s involvement in Donald Trump’s chaotic war on Iran. The move comes after the RAF Akrotiri airbase was attacked...

Trump warns 'big wave' yet to come in US war on Iran

● "We're knocking the crap out of them, president boasts in phone call to CNN ● Starmer rejects Trump criticism - and RAF base in Cyprus is hit by drone ● Conflict widens again as Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah exchange attacks ● Oil and gas prices...

Three US troops dead as attacks escalate across Middle East

• More than 200 killed across Iran, Tehran says – and at least 11 die in Israel • Plan to evacuate tourists as tens of thousands stranded by grounded flights • Trump says Iran ‘wants to talk’ and claims US has destroyed nine warships • UK terrorism...

Tehran strikes back across Middle East as Trump bombs Iran

• Ayatollah Khamenei killed in airstrike on his compound, Israel official says • US president launches 'major combat operation' to 'obliterate' Iran regime • Dubai hotel in flames, sirens sound in Israel as Iran retaliates with missiles • Global...

Labour swept away by Green tidal wave (Can PM survive it?)

• Nightmare for Labour as they lose 'safe' Gorton and Denton seat to Greens • Angela Rayner warns result must be wake-up call as PM faces calls to quit • Starmer vows to fight on: I won't allow extreme Greens to divide Britain • Reform pushes Labour...

Scandal of 4-year delays for criminal cases to go to trial

Dozens of criminal trials will not take place for another four years, according to damning new figures. Huge backlogs mean a shocking 29 cases – including violent crimes and drug offences – have been scheduled to start as far away as 2030, leaving...

Four years on, the true cost of Putin's invasion

203% rise in drone strikes on civilians in Ukraine in 2025, according to non-profit conflict specialist Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (ACLED) 13,866 total attacks on Ukrainian civilians since war began (ACLED) 55,000+ Ukrainian soldiers...

Revealed: the new way stalkers are tailing victims

Apple AirTags and small GPS tracking devices are being weaponised by stalkers, fuelling a surge in cases, while leaving victims in fear for their lives. Abusers have been using the coin-sized devices, which can be bought for £35, along with apps made...

The only place to hide from Putin's killer drones is our underground school

In a harrowing dispatch from the frontline city of Nikopol - so close to Russian forces that few journalists have ventured there - Sam Kiley talks to children, parents and teachers who are hunted daily by Putin's deadly quadcopters, yet have somehow...

Palace braces for results of raids on Andrew's homes

Police investigating Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s links to paedophile Jeffrey Epstein have urged former bodyguards to “consider carefully whether anything they saw or heard” is relevant to their inquiries. Detectives are also working with the US...

Andrew arrested as King leaves him to his fate

• King's brother arrested on 66th birthday on suspicion of misconduct in public office • Charles offers 'wholehearted' support to authorities: 'Law must take its course' • Andrew investigated for passing confidential reports to Epstein while trade...

Trump is wrong – Ukraine can win this dreadful war

As the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine approaches, the peace process, such as it is, mirrors more than ever the stalemate on the battlefield – slow, attritional progress getting stuck in the mud of Ukraine’s eastern Donbas...

Secret files show plan to end prison scandal will fail

Damning figures uncovered by The Independent reveal the government’s plan to tackle the scandal of indefinite jail terms will still leave hundreds of prisoners to rot. At least 520 inmates still serving the nowabolished imprisonment for public...

Another Starmer U-turn as local poll delays abandoned

Sir Keir Starmer has dropped plans to postpone elections across 30 councils this May after being warned it would be illegal – another embarrassing U-turn for the government. Ministers had paused polling of more than 4.5 million voters during a major...

This is a critical point for Ukraine – and for Europe

Almost four years after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the situation on the ground and in the diplomatic arena has become critical. Our report from Kyiv graphically depicts the plight of so many residents in Ukraine’s capital city, who face...

Putin arch-rival Navalny poisoned by the Kremlin

The Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny died after being poisoned with a lethal toxin and Moscow is to blame for the attack, Britain and its European allies have said. In a dramatic press conference held at the Munich Security Conference...

PM: We can't rely on US - British security depends on Europe

Britain’s “Brexit years” are over, Sir Keir Starmer will tell world leaders today as he calls for closer security ties with Europe – and less reliance on Donald Trump’s America. After tensions flared over the US president’s threats to take Greenland...

Ratcliffe's own goal over 'apology' for UK migrants slur

Sir Jim Ratcliffe offered a lukewarm apology yesterday for his claim Britain has been “colonised by immigrants”, as the FA said it will look into whether the remark brought the game into disrepute. The co-owner of Manchester United said he was sorry if...

Furious women MPs turn on Starmer over 'boys club' scandals

Senior female MPs have called on Sir Keir Starmer to appoint a woman to a top role to end the No 10 “boys club” culture exposed by the Matthew Doyle and Peter Mandelson scandals. The former deputy leader Harriet Harman urged the PM to fill the vacant...

Starmer peer loses Labour whip over links to paedophile

Sir Keir Starmer’s fightback against leadership challenges was last night overshadowed by a fresh scandal involving one of his former closest aides. Labour suspended the PM’s former communications chief Matthew Doyle over his links to Sean Morton – a...

PM loses another top No 10 aide but clings on... for now

Sir Keir Starmer is clinging to power with the support of key cabinet figures – even after being rocked by the departure of a second key aide and a demand for his resignation by Labour’s own Scottish leader. The prime minister was backed by several...

Starmer’s chief of staff quits over Mandelson scandal

Morgan McSweeney resigned as Sir Keir Starmer’s Downing Street chief of staff yesterday for his role in the appointment of Peter Mandelson as the US ambassador. Sir Keir’s righthand man, who was credited with masterminding Labour’s landslide election...

Starmer’s deputy gives warning of Mandelson impact

Sir Keir Starmer’s deputy has warned that the by-election in Gorton and Denton is a “dry run” for a general election, as the prime minister – wounded by the Peter Mandelson scandal – faces a battle to cling on to the historically safe Labour seat....

Mandelson’s homes searched by police in Epstein probe

Police searched two homes linked to Peter Mandelson yesterday after the peer was alleged to have leaked government information to Jeffrey Epstein. The Metropolitan Police said its officers carried out two warrants in Camden, north London and Wiltshire....

PM: I'm sorry for believing Mandelson's lies

Sir Keir Starmer has said he is sorry for believing the lies told by Peter Mandelson and for appointing him the UK’s ambassador to the US, as he tries to weather the crisis that has threatened to end his premiership. Following a barrage of criticism...

Furious MPs force Starmer into U-turn on Mandelson files

Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership has been plunged into turmoil after angry Labour MPs forced him into a climbdown over the full release of vetting documents relating to Peter Mandelson’s appointment as ambassador to the US. It followed intense pressure in...

PM: He let his country down

• Mandelson quits Lords as government begins move to strip him of title • Police launch criminal investigation into his alleged leaks to Epstein • Starmer orders inquiry into contacts - and fears more revelations ahead • PM 'gobsmacked' Mandelson...

MPs seek police probe into 'shocking' Epstein leak from Mandelson

• Emails suggest Mandelson forwarded internal No 10 advice on banks crisis • Gordon Brown demands inquiry into 'wholly unacceptable' disclosure • Special adviser who wrote 2009 email to PM 'disgusted by breach of trust' • Starmer says disgraced...

Police officers with convictions still allowed to serve

Police with convictions for violence, harassment and assault are still serving in UK forces, despite repeated pledges to crack down on rogue officers. New figures show that at least 49 serving police officers have kept their jobs despite being...

Andrew faces more Epstein questions

Disgraced former prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is again under fire over his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein after new pictures and emails emerged in the latest tranche of files about the late paedophile financier. Photos which appear to show Andrew...

INTIMATE PRINCE ANDREW EMAILS REVEALED IN NEW EPSTEIN FILES

Betrayal of 3.8m women denied pension payout

Women affected by changes to the state pension accused the government of treating them with “utter contempt” after ministers rejected their bid for compensation. Campaigners say as many as 3.8 million “Waspi women” lost out because of the way the...

Son of Jimmy Lai's plea to Starmer in China: Help bring my jailed father home

Burnham takes the fight to Starmer with bid to become MP

Andy Burnham has confirmed that he is seeking to stand for Labour in the Gorton and Denton by-election, paving the way for a return to parliament and a potential leadership challenge to Sir Keir Starmer. The mayor of Greater Manchester said the...