Nigel Farage turned down taxpayer-funded security including bodyguard, car and driver last year – UK politics live

The head of Reform UK refused the security, which was a similar level to that received by the leader of the opposition, because he considered it inadequate Keir Starmer attended Bastille Day celebrations in Paris today as one of his final engagements on the international stage. The Press Association reports: The prime minister met British troops involved in the ceremonial events in the French capital before watching the parade alongside Emmanuel Macron and other leaders including Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Starmer will be succeeded as prime minister by Andy Burnham on Monday after the former Greater Manchester mayor secured enough support to make it mathematically impossible for anyone to stand against him for the Labour leadership. The PM wakes up in a very hot French capital this morning to celebrate Bastille Day alongside Emmanuel Macron … and their farewell could get emotional. Playbook hears Macron introduced a football match-style minute’s applause at the top of the Coalition of the Willing meeting on Monday after thanking Starmer for what he’s done for Ukraine. Macron said the PM has played a “historic role” in setting up the CoW, before Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy described him as a “friend” and a “great PM and great man.” Reform MP Robert Jenrick , a former Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, Housing Secretary, health minister and immigration minister, tells @BBCr4today: “We are not mainstream politicians, we are politicians who are fighting the establishment every single day.” Continue reading...