Nick Lester

Politics

UFC contest at the White House has broader appeal than Shakespeare, says Rubio

Sunday’s event, on President Donald Trump’s 80th birthday, will have a billion-strong global audience, predicted the secretary of state.
11 Jun 2026
Politics

UK defence firms could do more to help arm Ukraine, says Lord Cameron

Lord Cameron was pressed over support for Ukraine at his first question time in the House of Lords, after his shock return to frontline politics.
5 Dec 2023
Politics

Minister hopes Hamas sex attackers ‘get what’s coming to them’

The Tory frontbencher also joined criticism of campaigners who have remained silent over the outrages.
4 Dec 2023
Politics

King prorogues Parliament for the first time in more than seven decades

The last time a parliamentary session was ended by a male sovereign was in 1951.
26 Oct 2023
Politics

Ed Sheeran ticket price row fuels criticism of Royal Albert Hall

The musician has condemned the soaring cost of seats, amid demand for action to tackle ‘conflicts of interest’ at the institution.
19 Oct 2023
Politics

Regulations ‘another piece of Irish Sea border superstructure’, DUP warns

Ministerial orders confirm the ‘splitting’ of Northern Ireland from the British mainland, the House of Lords heard.
18 Oct 2023
Tech

Flagship law will make UK safest place in the world to be online, says minister

The long-awaited Online Safety Bill imposes new legal duties on big tech companies and service providers.
19 Sept 2023
Politics

Government sees off Tory-led bid to restore housing targets as Lib Dems abstain

Michael Gove is accused of ‘trying to run with the hare and hunt with the hounds’ by a Tory former Cabinet minister.
6 Sept 2023
Politics

Government crushes challenges to secure passage of migration bill

The Tory frontbench saw off further changes being sought by the Lords to the Illegal Migration Bill, including slavery safeguards

18 Jul 2023
Politics

Welby warns over using asylum as a ‘wedge issue’ as he helps defeat Government

Peers press their demand for further changes to the Illegal Migration Bill, including limits to the detention of children.
13 Jul 2023
Politics

Peers demand ditching of Troubles amnesty in Government defeat

A former Northern Ireland secretary pointed out the contentious immunity measure has been ‘almost universally condemned’ in the region.
26 Jun 2023
Politics

Government has ‘abused, bullied and intimidated’ on small boats law

The charge was levelled as the House of Lords again sat into the early hours debating the Illegal Migration Bill.
13 Jun 2023
Politics

Late night Lords sitting on Illegal Migration Bill ‘disgraceful’

There was frustration and anger as detailed debate on the Illegal Migration Bill continued until shortly before dawn.
8 Jun 2023
Politics

Northern Ireland ‘underfunding is blackmail bid to restore Stormont’, peers told

There was ‘a nod and wink’ that cash would follow if the DUP was to end its powersharing boycott, a veteran politician said.
23 May 2023
Politics

Right to unpaid care leave set to become law to help millions of people

The Carer’s Leave Bill, which received cross-party and Government backing, is hailed as a step forward for those looking after someone.
19 May 2023
Politics

Government tackled over clinging to ‘obnoxious’ Northern Ireland legacy Bill

A minister is told the draft legislation is ‘doomed’ and should be ditched like some other Bills.
11 May 2023
Politics

Welby locks horns with Government over ‘morally unacceptable’ small boats law

The church leader is told neither ‘handwringing or bell ringing’ will solve the misery of the channel crossings
10 May 2023
Politics

Refugee safeguards ‘not inconvenient obstructions to get round’, warns Welby

The top cleric urges a rethink of the Illegal Migration Bill, arguing it risks ‘great damage to the UK’s reputation’.
10 May 2023
Politics

Apple and Google app stores ‘should have same legal duties as corner shops’

The tech giants are accused at Westminster of having behaving with ‘an air of exceptionalism’.
25 Apr 2023
Politics

Asylum centres may be fast-tracked without approval of local planners

The provision follows controversy about the planned use of barges and disused military bases to cope with the large number of migrants.
20 Apr 2023
Politics

Coal mine ban backed by peers in parliamentary defeat for Government

The move comes after Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove approved what is set to be the first new coal mine in the UK in 30 years
17 Apr 2023