Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

MP Siddiq quits shadow Cabinet role over Brexit Bill

The Labour party on Friday (27) faced a fresh crisis after one of its MPs quit her shadow Cabinet role as education minister in order to vote against a new Brexit Bill in Parliament.

Tulip Siddiq, the niece of Bangladeshi prime minister Sheikh Hasina, stepped away from the Labour frontbench following party leader Jeremy Corbyn’s decision to impose a whip on Labour MPs to vote in favour of triggering Article 50.


“On the announcement of the three-line whip on the Article 50 vote, I feel I have no choice but to resign from my frontbench role as shadow minister for early years. I do not support the triggering of Article 50 and cannot reconcile myself to the frontbench position,” the 34-year-old Member of Parliament (MP) for Hampstead and Kilburn in north-west London said in her resignation letter.

“I have always been clear – I do not represent Westminster in Hampstead and Kilburn, I represent Hampstead and Kilburn in Westminster. I feel that the most effective place for me to counter Theresa May’s hard Brexit is from the back benches,” she

writes.

Siddiq’s constituency had voted in favour of remaining within the EU in the June 2016 referendum.

The European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill was tabled in the House of Commons to give prime minister Theresa May the go-ahead to invoke Article 50, which will trigger the official two-year period of negotiations for Britain’s exit from the EU after a June 2016 referendum in favour of Brexit.

While Corbyn wants his party to not block the bill, Siddiq has joined a number of rebel MPs who plan to defy the party line.

“In terms of the motion itself, three quarters of my constituents voted to remain and I intend to stand up for them throughout these debates. I will be looking carefully at what the government brings to Parliament, and of course any amendments that would be submitted by my colleagues in the Labour Party.

“Ultimately, I will not be satisfied until there is total clarity over the measures to protect the security, residential status, and living standards of those I am so proud to represent,” she said.

Corbyn, who faces a fresh internal crisis over the issue, said he understood the pressures for MPs who represent leave constituencies and those who represent remain constituencies.

“I say to everyone, unite around the important issues. I’m asking all our MPs not to block Article 50 and make sure it goes through next week,” he said.

May had hoped to invoke Article 50 without having to seek parliamentary approval but a legal challenge concluded in the Supreme Court directed her to acquire the consent of both Houses of Parliament.

MPs will debate the new Bill on Tuesday (30) and Wednesday (1), the government has announced, with a third day of debate and a vote on February 8. It will then go to the House of Lords to be discussed.

More For You

crypto

Two men have been jailed for defrauding investors of £1.5 million through a fake crypto investment scheme. (Representational image: iStock)

Two jailed over £1.5m crypto investment scam

TWO people who duped investors of £1.5 million by selling fake investments in crypto have been jailed for 12 years, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said.

Raymondip Bedi, of Bromley, and Patrick Mavanga, of Peckham, conned at least 65 people by cold-calling them between February 2017 and June 2019. They operated companies including CCX Capital and Astaria Group LLP.

Keep ReadingShow less
Manchester Police probes over 1,000 child sexual abuse suspects

Photo for representation. (iStock)

Getty Images/iStockphoto

Manchester Police probes over 1,000 child sexual abuse suspects

GREATER MANCHESTER POLICE is now investigating more than 1,000 child sexual abuse suspects, following years of public criticism and institutional failings in tackling child sexual exploitation.

A new report by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) has revealed the force has made “significant improvements” in dealing with group-based sexual abuse and related crimes.

Keep ReadingShow less
Diwali

This year’s Diwali event will still see Belgrave Road continue to host what is left of the festival. (Representational image)

Major changes announced for Leicester’s Diwali celebrations amid safety fears

LDRS

THIS year’s annual Diwali celebrations will be stripped back amid public safety fears. Leicester City Council has said there will be no fireworks or stage entertainment as part of major changes announced for the event.

Cossington Street Recreation Ground will also not be used for the festivities, the council has revealed. The green space previously was the location for the main stage and the Diwali Village with its food stalls, funfair rides, fashion and arts. The annual fire garden display was also based there, offering “a peaceful oasis amid the festive excitement”.

Keep ReadingShow less
Hasmukh Shah

The certificate was presented to Shah at the Welsh parliament by Anita Bailey, Home Office Director Windrush Unit.

Hasmukh Shah receives UK minister’s certificate of appreciation

A prominent Asian doctor has been recognised for his services to the community. Prof Hasmukh Shah has received a certificate of appreciation for his contribution and services to the United Kingdom.

The certificate was issued by Seema Malhotra MP, UK Minister for Migration and Citizenship, as part of the Windrush Cymru Elders and Race Council Cymru’s Windrush work in Wales.

Keep ReadingShow less
Dalai-Lama-Getty

Dalai Lama looks on as offerings presented by Buddhist followers are laid on a table during a Long Life Prayer offering ceremony at the Main Tibetan Temple in McLeod Ganj, near Dharamsala, India, on June 30, 2025.(Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images

India says Dalai Lama alone can decide successor

A SENIOR Indian minister has said that only the Dalai Lama and the organisation he has established have the authority to decide his successor as the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism. The comment runs contrary to China’s long-standing position on the matter.

The Dalai Lama, who fled to India in 1959 following a failed uprising against Chinese rule, said on Wednesday that after his death he would be reincarnated as the next spiritual leader, and that only the Gaden Phodrang Trust would be able to identify his successor. He had earlier said that the next Dalai Lama would be born outside China.

Keep ReadingShow less