Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
BRITISH PRIME MINISTER Rishi Sunak and UK Labour leader Keir Starmer clashed last night over the Westminster betting row in their final televised head-to-head debate.
The Labour leader accused the British prime minister of being “bullied” into taking action in the scandal, while Sunak repeatedly warned voters not to “surrender” to Labour’s tax and migration plans in the heated exchange.
With the polls showing the Tories heading for an electoral drubbing with just a week to go until the 4 July general election, Sunak used the BBC debate to hammer home his claim that Starmer “is not being honest with everyone about his plans to raise their taxes”.
He reiterated the much-disputed claim that taxes would rise by £2,000 (€2,360) under a Labour government, which Starmer dismissed as a “lie”.
🚨 NEW: Rishi Sunak: "Do not surrender your family finances to Labour's tax rises"
— Politics UK (@PolitlcsUK) June 26, 2024
Starmer says Sunak warned the country about the damage Truss would do, but later backed her
Hussain: "Hang on, you know what it's like to fall in behind a leader of your party" #BBCDebate pic.twitter.com/URO8AavlHX
The leaders are likely to face further questions on the deepening gambling saga, as it emerged the Metropolitan Police will lead on investigating a “small number of cases” related to betting to look into potential “misconduct in public office”.
And Philip Davies became the latest Tory candidate to be accused of gambling on the election.
He reportedly bet £8,000 (€9,456) against himself holding his marginal Shipley constituency, according to The Sun.
At least five Conservatives are being investigated by the Gambling Commission as part of its inquiry into wagers on the timing of the 4 July poll.
On Tuesday, Sunak caved to mounting calls to withdraw support for two parliamentary candidates facing an investigation by the regulator: his parliamentary aide Craig Williams and Laura Saunders.
Saunders’ husband, the Conservative Party’s director of campaigning Tony Lee, has taken a leave of absence, as has Tory chief data officer Nick Mason, while Welsh Tory member Russell George is also facing a probe by the gambling watchdog.
Labour has also been dragged into the row, suspending candidate Kevin Craig after he was investigated by the regulator for betting on himself to lose his contest in Central Suffolk and North Ipswich.
Starmer said “you have to lead from the front on issues like this”, noting that he had suspended Craig “within minutes”.
“The Prime Minister delayed and delayed and delayed until eventually he was bullied into taking action,” he said.
The Met said it would lead on investigating “a small number of cases to assess whether the alleged offending goes beyond Gambling Act offences to include others, such as misconduct in public office” and provide more information on Thursday.
A Met spokesperson said: “The Gambling Commission will continue to lead the investigation into cases where the alleged offending is limited to breaches of the Gambling Act only.
“Met detectives will lead on investigating a small number of cases to assess whether the alleged offending goes beyond Gambling Act offences to include others, such as misconduct in public office.”
In the last major set piece event before polling day, the Tory and Labour leaders also traded barbs over immigration, women’s rights and benefits bills.
Sunak told the debate that “sex means biological sex” and that he would “protect” women-only spaces.
🚨 NEW: Sunak: "Sex means biological sex: that's only how you can protect female-only spaces"
— Politics UK (@PolitlcsUK) June 26, 2024
Starmer: "It's very important to protect women's spaces," adding that he still treats trans people "with dignity and respect"
Receives a very loud cheer from audience #BBCDebate pic.twitter.com/225uYpEE3G
Starmer also said it was important to “protect” women-only spaces but added that all people need to be treated “with dignity and respect”
Starmer drew applause from the studio audience when he accused his Conservative rival of being “out of touch” when it came to welfare benefits.
Sunak fired a barrage of criticism at the Opposition leader over migration, claiming “people smugglers are going to need a bigger boat” because of his plans to scrap the Rwanda deportation scheme.
🚨 NEW: Rishi Sunak to Keir Starmer on migration
— Politics UK (@PolitlcsUK) June 26, 2024
"Are you going to sit down with the Iranian Ayatollahs? … To try and do a deal with the Taliban? It's completely nonsensical what you're saying. You're taking people for fools."
Audience give an applause #BBCDebate pic.twitter.com/wZhiMCSkm3
On Labour proposals to strike returns deals with other countries, Sunak asked: “Will you sit down with the Ayatollahs? Are you going to try to do a deal with the Taliban? It’s completely nonsensical – you are taking people for fools.”
Loud pro-Palestine protests were heard from outside the Nottingham debate venue as the duo faced off against each other.
🚨 NEW: The BBC debate host acknowledges the pro-Palestine protest happening outside the venue
— Politics UK (@PolitlcsUK) June 26, 2024
"There is a protest taking place outside, which is an aspect of democracy, and people exercising their freedom of speech" #BBCDebate pic.twitter.com/LTKVHdMmG6
The Liberal Democrats said “the audience spoke for the nation” when one man asked the two leaders: “Are you two really the best we’ve got to be the next prime minister of our great country?”
Starmer emerged as the winner of the TV clash according to a More in Common snap poll, with 56% of viewers preferring him and 44% choosing Sunak.
But a YouGov snap poll suggested viewers were split 50-50 over the victor.
🚨 NEW: Voter Robert to Rishi Sunak: “You’re a pretty mediocre prime minister”
— Politics UK (@PolitlcsUK) June 26, 2024
To Keir Starmer: “Your strings are being pulled by very senior members of the Labour Party.”
“Are you two really the best we’ve got to be prime minister of our great country?”#BBCDebate pic.twitter.com/RISQuSI5Sk
Sunak is campaigning in the East Midlands and Yorkshire today, after a two-day hiatus for the Emperor and Empress of Japan’s state visit and preparations for the debate.
Starmer is joining the Labour battle bus in the North West and West Midlands to promote Labour’s plans to “turbocharge” careers advice and work experience in schools.
Lib Dem leader Ed Davey’s action-packed campaign tour continues as he calls for an emergency health budget after the election, while junior doctors in England start their five-day walkout in their long-running pay dispute.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Another great gone, RIP George
@Lance Taylor: must give that a watch today.
Rip George, I might grill a few sausages for breakfast, in your honor.
@brian o’leary: sausage egg bacon cheese and mushrooms all place in a baguette then pressed in the Georgie! Yes sireeee
Down goes Frazier, down goes Frazier, down goes Frazier!! Get chills when I think how easily Foreman beat prime Joe Frazier, who himself had beaten Ali and was thought unbeatable! Absolute legend of the sport!
Sad news, great boxer and a great guy by all accounts.
Tough as nails, rest in peace sir.
Watch ‘When We Were Kings’. The days when the title ‘Heavyweight Champion of the World’ actually meant something.
@Me Me: “Champions forever” is a little older but a hell of a watch too. Probably on YouTube
@Me Me: that’s one of the greatest sport documentaries ever
Any man that beats Joe Frazier twice is some man! To come back from Zaire the way he did was inspirational, and to win a world title 17 years after that was the stuff of fairytale. RIP George, one of the very best.
A great guy. RIP.
A true legend. Both in and out of the ring. RIP
I remember watching the Moorer fight, he was 20 years younger than George and had an unbeaten record, but still ended up on the deck.
Good old George great boxer and a gentleman many a toastie I had on your machine, lovely man
R. I. P. Champ.
I watched a film about his life on Netflix recently. RIP
Rest in Peace… True Legend
Poor children of Gaza. Ethnic cleansing before our eyes. Same on us as human race. History repeating!
@Brian O’Connor:
Shame on you for using the death of a boxing legend to make a political statement.
@Brian O’Connor: take a day off Brian, this is about a boxing legend not your soapbox.
Ah no absolute savage in the ring pure humble gentleman outside it . If I remember correctly won his last heavyweight title in his forties against shannon briggs. Another legend gone, RIP big man.
RIP Big George. Thank you for the memories. Sleep well.
And yes RIP George. Hopefully now looking down and put stop to killing of innocent civilians in Gaza, Ukraine, Russia and many innocents of Africa. What has this world come to. Anne Frank doesn’t need a diary .. she needs a phone . I wonder has anyone read her book. Has anyone read “my struggle” by that evil man, it’s so ironic ! I see it both ways and what’s going on now is devils holocaust without the fire. the most ….. that suffered now put their suffering on .,.,,, Jesus weeps today. It’s a shame if a true American president of peace was true he/she would call a halt now to death of innocent children. Shame on US saying soldiers killed on open fields but not a word of children born and unborn laying dead in mothers arms or dying in mothers womb because the vessel has died. I am for freedom and protection. Same on us as a world of supposing humanity. Same on us. As da Vinci said “I open my arms, my legs for world all to see, only you can draw perfection or imperfection” same on us as a human race. A world of love is needed right now ! Has there ever been a time in history of love.? I think Anne Frank is hoping some day.
@Brian O’Connor: time and a place{champ}
@Brian O’Connor:
Jesus Christ , is nothing sacred.
You forgot about the innocent people murdered by Hamas.
@Phillip Smyth: Normally I’d agree however try reading the article from a bit earlier labelled Palestine, a report from an English doctor at an A&E during the recent attack by Israelis…deeply disturbing! Needs to get highlighted everywhere at every opportunity.
@damien leen:
Rest in peace George Foreman.
@Thomas O’Brien: So you condone this response by Israel? This is Genocide you absolute muppet. These people are being bombed out of existence. They were dumped into Gaza, described by outsiders as an open air prison after they had their lands illegally taken off them & and when they fight back this is what happens!
You are Irish yes? Do you have any clue of Irish history?! Armed resistance, armed struggle…
@Brian O’Connor: wtf is actually wrong with you? Are you related to Sinead, the header of this low grade rag?
@damien leen:
7th of October ring a bell.
@damien leen: so normally you don’t agree when legends die to highlight your platform, so your selfish and foolhardy.
@Phillip Smyth: Toughen up a bit you child!
Poor ol’ George. He was one of the good guys. RIP.
Ahh bless him!. I’ll always have a little piece of him in my kitchen ….rest in peace George ps thanks for the yummy toasties!!
What a loss such a legend, RIP
Remember watching him win the world title at 45. I thought 45 was so ancient. 47 year old me regrets such thoughts
Oh what a boxer ,thanks for all the memories, and love and respect to your family and friends
Rumble in the Jungle. I will.never forget it. RIP Sir. Say hello to Mo when you get there.
@Oh Mammy: Muslims can’t get into christian heaven, apparently.
An icon of the sport.. Rest easy George.. A true legend and gentleman. Followed his career and interacted with him on Twitter .. feels like I knew him personally.
What a great great man..Rest in Eternal Peace.
R.I.P. George.Another Legend Gone.
God love anyone trying to trace that family tree in the future.
5 sons, all named George.
A brick wall for future family historians
A Boxing colossus that returned to the ring in his 40’s to win it again. Truly amazing. RIP.
Would have reigned for 10 years if not for ali
I actually think that George Foreman was the greatest boxer to ever step into the ring. His granite chin was simply unmatched and he had the most powerful punch out of any of the big boxers. To retire and then come back to become the heavyweight champion at 45 showed this. Foreman demolished every fighter that he came up against and had a reputation for being one of the most decent and kind individuals in professional sport. I’m also indebted to him for the Foreman Grill, it really helped me lose weight. RIP George Foreman, you will be missed.
A brilliant man George inside and outside the ring what he did for the young people in Texas with a hard upbringing was inspiring, that is why George came back to boxing in the eighties to help them because what money he had made was gone. A legend rip George you will be sparring with Ali and Fraser in heaven
@Kieran Horgan: Ali was a Muslim who rejected jesus . Can he get into christian heaven?
A fantastic athlete. Just a question, how did he name his daughters? Georgina?
have your say