House of Commons

The secret tube station door you’re probably not important enough to use

There’s pretty much an entire city buried beneath London, with passages and tunnels reaching nearly every corner of the capital. Abandoned stations, hidden tunnels and haunted platforms are a source of mystery and intrigue. For the average commuter traversing the metropolis in sun, snow or storms, the London Underground is a godsend. Some VIPs, however, […]

Sexism in the City: ‘No matter how hard I work, they will never ever recognise me’

When City executive Selena* logged on for a Teams call with five senior male colleagues in spring 2021, she was gobsmacked. She had spent weeks warning bosses that the London-based investment firm risked falling foul of European regulations. She had gathered data and presented supporting evidence, but was repeatedly brushed off. “Nobody wanted to listen,” […]

Death and rape threats, bricks through windows: MPs must be able to serve without living in fear | Stella Creasy

It’s the thing every MP fears, but it is increasingly becoming an occupational hazard: the brick hurled at the office window, the rape and death threats that arrive in the post, angry voices abusing you, your staff or your family, both on and offline. In recent years, I’ve experienced all of these things, and I […]

Rishi Sunak confirms he will not talk about US-UK free trade deal with Joe Biden – as it happened

Sunak confirms he won’t be talking about US-UK free trade deal with Biden, implying this is no longer goal Peter Walker Rishi Sunak has explicitly accepted that a formal post-Brexit trade deal with the US is not on the table ahead of talks in Washington DC with President Biden, even hinting that the whole idea […]

What is the renters’ reform bill and how does it affect you?

The Renters’ (Reform) Bill was introduced to parliament on May 17 in a bid by the government to address problems in the private rental housing market, in a move it describes as a ‘once-in-a-generation overhaul of housing laws.’ The bill has been met with mixed reception, with some claiming it is ‘anti-landlord’, but has now […]

Met chief clashes with senior Tory amid furious scenes in Commons

A senior Conservative attacked the honesty and competence of the Metropolitan police commissioner, Sir Mark Rowley, in furious scenes at a Commons committee, while the police chief denounced the “pillorying” of his force. Lee Anderson MP, the deputy chair of the Tory party, accused Rowley of not being “very honest” and claimed he was bungling […]

Tory MP asked to justify raising donor’s business issues in Commons

A Tory MP is facing questions over issues he raised in the House of Commons about a constituent’s business interests after his local Conservative association received thousands in donations. Labour has said David Simmonds should justify the comments after it was revealed he received a £1,500 ticket to a Tory fundraiser from a local businessman […]

Rishi Sunak has never paid a penalty to HMRC, No 10 says, amid growing pressure over Nadhim Zahawi – as it happened

Labour MP Dawn Butler closes office after receiving racist threats

London MP also says constituency premises expensive and hard to keep Covid-19 safe Dawn Butler was a candidate for the Labour deputy leadership in February 2020. Photograph: Robert Perry/Getty Images A Labour MP has been forced to close her constituency office after escalating racist threats towards her and her staff since she spoke out in […]

Why hoarding power in London doesn’t work | Letters

T he tragedy that England has the highest excess death rate in Europe (How England found itself at the wrong end of the Covid-19 league table, 17 May) is not all down to austerity and the indolence of current ministers. England has been failed by a political culture that still clings to the imperial idea […]