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Diane Abbott will not be allowed to stand as a Labour candidate in the general election, bringing an end to her 37-year career in Parliament

There are no circumstances in which she will stand under the Labour banner on July 4

Senior aides to

What sad news about Tom Fox - a man hugely respected and admired. Condolences to his family and friends.

thetimes.co.uk/article/f3d9b8…

EXC: UK’s energy sector is facing an “apocalyptic scenario” with firms considering quitting the country, report finds

One company has stalled a £400m million project that would have created hundreds of jobs in Scotland, warning it was one of many on hold
thetimes.co.uk/article/apocal…

This is heartbreaking …

thetimes.co.uk/article/18c438…

Have been told that Chris McEleny, general secretary of Alex Salmond’s Alba Party Chief, was ejected from the First Direct Arena in Leeds last night for remonstrating with Eddie Hearn’s promotional team accusing them of fixing the Josh Taylor fight result...

Will Labour be overtaken in the polls like Keir Starmer's beloved Arsenal were in the Premier League?

No because the Tories “don’t have an Erling Haaland,' predicts Anas Sarwar

The Times and The Sunday Times election liveblog
thetimes.co.uk/article/genera…

I credit the driver. Generous with his chips and his sofa

Crown Office confirms it has received a report about Peter Murrell, former SNP chief exec, allegations date between 2016 and 2023

Crown also confirms investigations still ongoing into Nicola Sturgeon and Colin Beattie

Exc: SNP candidate Stephen Gethins has to cancel family break booked for the first week of the school holidays because of general election

Says he welcomes the contest but timing is 'disrespectful...when many families will be taking a hard-earned break'
thetimes.co.uk/article/john-s…

This is amazing by Darren McCaffrey - hats off to him seamlessly carrying on broadcasting while getting manhandled by security guards 😆

Non-election story warning: every football fan should read this

Craig Levein on gambling addiction: I lied to my wife over lost wages

thetimes.co.uk/article/craig-…

Amid growing election speculation this is what we know:

* Cabinet is at 4.15pm. Cameron is cutting short trip to Albania so he can be there, Shapps is delaying a trip abroad. That doesn't sound routine

* Number 10 has gone totally submarine

* PM and Dowden said to have spent

Number 10 - pressed on whether the prime minister is about to call a snap election in July - says it won't 'rule anything in or out'

Number 10 is now refusing to say if Jeremy Hunt will be chancellor at the election

Rishi Sunak was unequivocal in January that Hunt would remain in the role

Today No 10 repeatedly refuses to repeat position and says it won't comment on 'reshuffle speculation'

📈Labour has opened up a 10 point lead over the SNP in a sign that John Swinney is failing to turn around his party's faltering fortunes, new YouGov poll finds

What Scotland Thinks analysis puts Lab on 35 MPs, SNP 11, Con 6 and Lib Dems 5
thetimes.co.uk/article/labour…

🔺 BREAKING: The NHS and successive governments spent decades trying to “cover up” the infected blood scandal which claimed the lives of 3,000 people, Sir Brian Langstaff has concluded in his report.

Follow the latest updates ⬇️
thetimes.co.uk/article/infect…

🔺 BREAKING: The prosecutor of the International Criminal Court is seeking arrest warrants against Binyamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, and Yoav Gallant, the defence minister, as well as Hamas leaders for alleged war crimes in Gaza ⬇️
thetimes.co.uk/article/netany…

If there's one lesson we've learned from recent Scottish politics, it's that the end of a 'cooperation agreement' is usually smooth and signals a nice quiet, peaceful few days

You know who doesn't understand? This officer. Journalists are allowed to report from a public place without intimidation or the threat of arrest from police

🚂 NEW: Scrapping of peak rail fares will be extended by at least another three months in a boost for commuters, John Swinney to announce

Decision on whether it becomes permanent will come after evaluations of how scheme has increased passenger numbers

thetimes.co.uk/article/scotla…