Boris Johnson has surged to the top of the first Conservative leadership ballot - as rivals Andrea Leadsom, Esther McVey and Mark Harper were all knocked out of the race.

Theresa May has called on the BBC to explain why it allowed comedian Jo Brand to joke about about throwing battery acid on politicians.

Downing Street has denied that Sajid Javid was not invited to a state banquet for Donald Trump because he is a Muslim.

Boris Johnson’s hopes of seizing the Conservative leadership have received a boost as a fresh survey of members revealed that more than half would back him for the first time.

Sajid Javid has hit out at Downing Street after he was not invited to attend a state banquet for President Trump.

Ministers have been accused of presiding over "fundamental" flaws in a key housing scheme, as the public spending watchdog found that many of those who benefited from Help to Buy could have bought a home without it.

Tory leadership hopeful Esther McVey has come under fire from a government minister after claiming that the UK's foreign aid budget had been used to fund an overseas airport built "in the wrong direction".

Tory MPs will begin whittling down the list of leadership candidates later as the first round of voting in the contest to succeed Theresa May gets underway.

Sajid Javid has accused Boris Johnson of being “yesterday’s news” as he launched his bid to become the next Prime Minister.

A Labour rebellion has scuppered an attempt by opposition parties to block a no-deal Brexit by seizing control of the Commons agenda.

Leaving the European Union by 31 October will be "impossible", Philip Hammond has claimed.

The Brexit Party is at "high risk" of accepting illegal donations from overseas, Britain’s elections watchdog has warned.

Sir Keir Starmer has admitted he is pushing for Labour to support Remain in any second EU referendum.

Theresa May has vowed to stay on as an MP after she resigns as Prime Minister next month.

Boris Johnson has insisted he will continue to speak his mind if he becomes Prime Minister even if his use of language causes offence.

Follow every twist and turn - and get the full quotes of key exchanges - as Theresa May squares off against Jeremy Corbyn at Prime Minister's Questions.

Ministers will be legally bound to end the UK's contribution to climate change by 2050 under a new target to be introduced by Theresa May.

Labour staff are to vote on whether they want to take industrial action over a long-running pay dispute.

Rory Stewart has been forced into an embarrassing climbdown after suggesting he could back an opposition move to rule out a no-deal Brexit.

Tory leadership favourite Boris Johnson will warn his party they will "kick the bucket" if the UK does not leave the European Union by 31 October.

Labour is to lead a cross-party bid to rule out a no-deal Brexit by seizing control of the Commons agenda.

Andrea Leadsom has opened the door to a second referendum on Scottish independence after revealing it would be "up for negotiation" if she becomes Prime Minister.

Boris Johnson has come under pressure in the Tory leadership contest after his rivals accused him of failing to face up to public scrutiny.

It is "not credible” for any Tory leadership candidate to vow to take Britain out of the European Union by 31 October, Mark Harper has said, as he became the latest contender to launch his bid for the top job.

Tory leadership contender Andrea Leadsom has insisted it is "not possible" for Parliament to block a no-deal Brexit.

Labour's "weak" response to anti-semitism in its ranks means the party is doing "nothing" to advance the debate on Israel and Palestine, Jeremy Corbyn has been warned.

Andrea Leadsom will promise to focus on "healing the divisions" in the country as she launches her bid to be the next Conservative leader.

Boris Johnson is the "right person" to take Britain out of the European Union and save the Tories from "destruction", Iain Duncan Smith has said as he backed his bid to be party leader.

Rory Stewart has accused his Tory leadership rivals of using “cheap electoral bribes” by promising £84 billion-worth of tax cuts and spending increases in their quest to become Prime Minister.

A close ally of Jeremy Corbyn has warned him that his supporters are deserting him over Labour's failure to wholeheartedly back a second EU referendum.

Ten Tory MPs have made it through to the first leadership ballot after Sam Gyimah became the latest candidate to withdraw from the race.

Michael Gove has launched a fresh attack on Boris Johnson as he insisted he will not quit the Tory leadership race over his admission that he used to take cocaine.

Labour's Tom Watson has slammed the Government after the BBC announced that it was ending the free TV licence scheme for millions of over-75s.

Penny Mordaunt has announced that she is supporting Jeremy Hunt in his bid to become the next Tory leader and Prime Minister.

Matt Hancock has insisted that any attempt to shut down Parliament to ensure the UK leaves the EU on 31 October would betray the memory of D-Day veterans.

Dominic Raab has laid into his Conservative leadership rival Boris Johnson over his plan to slash taxes for people earning more than £50,000.