Defence Secretary John Healey told the House of Commons that Russia poses a "significant and persistent" threat to the UK and conducts hostile cyber-activity, disinformation and sabotage against NATO allies "almost daily." He said he had ordered UK air-defence deliveries to Ukraine accelerated and would chair this month's 50-nation Ukraine Defence Contact Group at NATO headquarters, telling Vladimir Putin: "we see you; we will expose you." Healey cited past disclosures -- the Russian spy ship Yantar shadowing British undersea infrastructure and a covert submarine programme in UK waters -- and said the public must grasp that the threat is real and rising.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned Reform UK leader Nigel Farage for urging a response of “pure cold rage” to the murder of 17-year-old Henry Nowak, calling it “the wrong reaction.” Starmer said he felt “sick” watching body-cam footage of Nowak being handcuffed as he lay dying, and cited the family’s plea not to have the case “whipped up.” He did not rule out a Macpherson-style inquiry into police anti-racist culture but said the IOPC should finish its investigation first.

British nationals Lindsay and Craig Foreman, jailed in Iran on espionage charges they deny, have lost an appeal against their 10-year sentence, their family said. The couple, arrested in January 2025 while on a round-the-world motorcycle trip, are now on hunger strike in Tehran's Evin prison. Their case has been passed to Iran's Supreme Court, though the family said they do not understand the legal process or timeline.

The UK Supreme Court has ruled that severely disabled people aged 16 and over can give valid consent to their care arrangements even if they lack the mental capacity to do so, a decision that applies across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The judgment, triggered by a case brought by the Attorney General for Northern Ireland, overrules the previous Cheshire West 'acid test' and allows a multifactorial approach that considers a person's own wishes and feelings. Charities including Mencap, Mind and the National Autistic Society warned the ruling 'sets us back decades' and could make it easier for abuse to go unnoticed.

Jo Shaw, 35, died in an explosion in Bristol after her ex-partner Ryan Kelly, 41, forced entry into her home while in possession of an explosive device; Kelly also died. The incident is not being treated as terrorism-related. Three others, including a child, suffered minor injuries. The IOPC is formally investigating Avon and Somerset Police over prior contact with the victim and Kelly, covering incidents from May 2021 involving stalking, harassment, and assault allegations. Police last spoke to Shaw four days before the blast. The coroner confirmed Shaw died from a 'penetrating fragmentation blast injury to the chest and pelvis' and Kelly from 'blast injuries to head, neck, torso and limbs'. The call timeline shows police were alerted at 6:17am reporting a domestic incident and forced entry; the caller reported the man had an explosive device at 6:30am, and the explosion occurred around 6:32am. Officers arrived at 6:34am. Searches were conducted at Kelly's address. The IOPC is reviewing extensive documentation and will keep all parties updated.

South West Water was fined a record £1.85m for supplying water unfit for human consumption after a cryptosporidiosis outbreak in Brixham, Devon in 2024. The outbreak sickened 537 people, hospitalized 10, and forced thousands to boil water. The court found the company failed to inspect air valves as per its own policy, and a compromised valve on farmland was the likely cause. The company has 22 prior convictions since 2014.

Background: The UK government previously released documents on Peter Mandelson's US ambassador appointment, revealing his criticisms of Starmer and security vetting issues. Today: A new tranche of over 1,500 pages of internal documents was published. The opposition had hoped to prove Starmer misled parliament about when he knew of Mandelson's ties to Jeffrey Epstein, but the documents do not support that claim. Instead, they show internal government disarray, Mandelson's ambition, and his private criticisms of Starmer's leadership. The documents reveal Mandelson's dismissive attitude toward the government, describing Downing Street as 'beleaguered and bereft' and criticizing the lack of strategic direction. They also show his ambition to become Chancellor of the University of Oxford. London police are investigating Mandelson for potential misconduct in public office, and some documents remain withheld due to secrecy rules and the ongoing investigation.

Downing Street confirmed that UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer uses disappearing messages on WhatsApp, raising transparency questions about his role in the appointment of Peter Mandelson as ambassador to Washington. The government released documents on the appointment, but few direct messages from Starmer were included. The Conservatives criticized the practice, while the government cited official guidance allowing such use.