The maximum sentence magistrates can hand down to criminals should be doubled to 12 months to reduce Crown Court congestion, according to a cross-party group of MPs.

Rory Stewart's bid to be the next Conservative leader has been given a major boost after David Lidington announced he was supporting him.

Tom Watson has said he fears "Labour is leaving me" as he called on the party to campaign for Remain in a second EU referendum.

Downing Street has warned Iran that nothing is off the table in response to its "destabilising activity" in the Middle East.

Donald Trump has been condemned by Sajid Javid, Dominic Raab and Michael Gove after he sparked a fresh Twitter spat with London Mayor Sadiq Khan.

Former Cabinet minister and peer John Gummer has been cleared by sleaze watchdogs over claims he failed to properly declare and register relevant financial interests.

Boris Johnson's seemingly unstoppable march to becoming Prime Minister has received another boost after former Tory leadership rival Matt Hancock backed him for the top job.

Here's our rolling total of supporters for each Tory leadership contender - plus a list of which Conservative MP is backing which candidate. Powered by Dods People

Theresa May has unveiled a package of new measures to help teachers, social workers and health staff tackle the "devastating" toll of mental illnesses.

Tom Watson will make an impassioned plea for Labour to become a "Remain party" on Monday amid growing calls for Jeremy Corbyn to clarify his Brexit stance.

Dominic Raab has come under sustained attack from his Tory leadership rivals over his threat to close down Parliament to force through Brexit.

The Conservative party will be "toast" if the Government fails to take Britain out of the European Union by 31 October, leadership hopeful Dominic Raab has warned.

Jeremy Hunt has refused to commit to leaving the European Union by the end of the year if he becomes prime minister - as he accused Tory leadership rival Boris Johnson of an "at-any-cost" approach to Brexit.

Tory leadership hopeful Rory Stewart has firmly ruled out serving in any Cabinet during a Boris Johnson premiership.

Cabinet minister Amber Rudd has said she would think "very carefully" about getting a lift home with Boris Johnson - as she blasted the Tory frontrunner's suggestion he could suspend Parliament to force a no-deal Brexit.

Jeremy Corbyn has leapt to the defence of London Mayor Sadiq Khan after Donald Trump launched a tweetstorm about "Londonistan".

Tory leadership contender Jeremy Hunt has vowed to shake up the tax system to encourage generations of families to "stick together more".

Theresa May has been accused of attempting to tie the hands of her successor with a massive £27bn funding pledge for schools.

Boris Johnson has insisted the Conservatives must have a "proper" leadership contest amid claims that party grandees want to hand him the job without giving members a vote.

Tory grandee Ken Clarke has promised to vote to bring down any “idiot” future Tory prime minister if they attempt to force a no-deal Brexit through Parliament.

Former Tory leadership contender Esther McVey has thrown her weight behind Boris Johnson - as Michael Gove and Sajid Javid hinted that they could join his Cabinet if he wins.

European Union negotiators reportedly expect to see Boris Johnson as the next Prime Minister - but think he will U-turn on his promise to take the UK out of the EU by October 31.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock has ordered a “root and branch” review of NHS food after two more patient deaths were linked to a listeria outbreak. 

Jeremy Corbyn has suggested the Government and United States lack “credible evidence” that Iran is behind attacks on two oil tankers.

Cabinet ministers are reportedly plotting to ensure Boris Johnson is crowned unopposed when party members vote in the Conservative leadership election.

Tony Blair has lashed out at Jeremy Corbyn for attacking the record of the last Labour government.

Boris Johnson has been mocked after he confirmed that he will duck a Channel 4 debate between Tory leadership candidates.

Philip Hammond has taken a veiled swipe at Conservative leadership frontrunner Boris Johnson, as he confirmed he would “not be able to serve” under a Prime Minister pushing for Britain to leave the EU without a deal.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock has become the latest Conservative leadership hopeful to quit the race.

A leading Muslim Tory activist has compared Boris Johnson to Adolf Hitler and vowed to quit the party if he becomes leader.

John Major has accused Tory leadership contenders threatening to shut down Parliament in order to force through a no-deal Brexit of "gold-plated hypocrisy". 

Matt Hancock is preparing to pull out of the Tory leadership race, it has been claimed.

Boris Johnson is coming under increasing pressure to agree to take part in upcoming TV debates involving the candidates to become Tory leader.

Former Labour MP Chuka Umunna has joined the Liberal Democrats following his split from Change UK.

Change UK has been forced to change its name once again to avoid being sued by an online petitions group.

Rory Stewart has vowed to “bring down” Boris Johnson if he moved to shutdown Parliament in order to force through a no-deal Brexit.