Newslinks for Sunday 25th January 2026

Starmer facing Labour civil war over Burnham

“Sir Keir Starmer is facing a growing mutiny after Andy Burnham declared his intention to return to Westminster. Leading Labour figures, MPs and grassroots members came out in support of the Mayor of Greater Manchester in a co-ordinated campaign on Saturday after he announced his intention to run in the Gordon and Denton by-election. A Labour committee controlled by the Prime Minister’s allies will decide on Sunday whether to block Mr Burnham’s return to Parliament, amid fears that he will use his return to the back benches to mount a leadership challenge. Those close to Sir Keir are now faced with the dilemma of blocking Mr Burnham from standing as an MP – risking a backlash from his supporters – or permitting his return and effectively allowing a leadership challenge.” – Sunday Telegraph

• Burnham throws down the gauntlet to Starmer – Sunday Times
• Burnham to stand for Westminster seat – FT
• Starmer allies urge him to block Burnham from running in byelection – Observer
• PM is cornered – Mail on Sunday
• Burnham launches takeover bid – Sun on Sunday
• Starmer has already lost – Sunday Express
• Streeting’s backers: he already has 200 MPs who are ‘absolutely solid’ – Sunday Times
• The race to replace Starmer – FT
• Will Burnham return to parliament – and what would it mean for Starmer? – Observer

Comment

Trump backtracks on Afghanistan slur

“Donald Trump has backtracked on claims British troops stayed away from the front line in Afghanistan after anger over his “appalling” comments. In a statement on Truth Social the US president said that British troops were “among the greatest of all warriors” and were “great and very brave”. He added that the bond between the British and American military was “too strong ever to be broken”. Mr Trump issued the statement hours after Sir Keir Starmer confronted him directly on the phone over his comments about British military staff. On Thursday Mr Trump told Fox News that he was “not sure” America’s military allies would support the United States “if we ever needed them”. – Sunday Telegraph

• Trump has legal power to veto Chagos deal, Government admits – Sunday Telegraph
• Concerns raised by King Charles ‘prompted Trump to backtrack – Mail on Sunday
• President back down after King intervened – Sun on Sunday
• The 10-minute call that soured Starmer’s bromance with Trump – Sunday Telegraph
• How Starmer’s Chagos Islands deal blew up in his face – Sunday Times
• Tory peers force a pause in passage of Chagos deal bill – FT
• Chagos deal on brink of collapse – Sun on Sunday
• Trump’s antics mean a World Cup boycott is not unthinkable – Sunday Telegraph
• Trump’s wrecking ball pushes US allies closer to China – Observer

Comment

Davidson, Street and their bold new project to save the Tories

“Baroness Davidson of Lundin Links and Sir Andy Street are set to launch a new political movement aimed at persuading Kemi Badenoch to reclaim the centre ground for the Conservative Party and win the support of about seven million “politically homeless” voters. The former Scottish Conservative leader and the ex-West Midlands mayor will formally unveil their initiative on Monday in a move that piles fresh pressure on the Tory leader to reconnect with the swathes of centrist voters who have deserted her embattled party. The new movement — the name of which is being kept secret, but is likely to be “Prosper” — will be composed of politicians and business leaders and is seeking to attract thousands of members from across the country.” – Sunday Times

• How 81 seats could torpedo the chances of the ‘Loony Left’ seizing power – Mail on Sunday

>Today:

Mahmood to establish ‘British FBI’

“A national police force will fight terrorists, international fraudsters and organised crime as Britain’s answer to the FBI. The National Police Service (NPS) will take over the roles of the National Crime Agency (NCA), counter-terrorism policing and the regional units that tackle serious organised crime gangs. In the biggest police reform in a generation, Shabana Mahmood, the Home Secretary, will overhaul the “outdated” and “fragmented” model of policing, which she believes is “buckling under the strain” of tackling complex modern crime and leaving “serious offending unpunished”. – Sunday Telegraph

• Home Office to launch ‘British FBI’ to deal with serious crime UK-wide – Observer

Comment

ICE shoot man dead during Minneapolis protest

“US immigration officers shot a man dead during an anti-ICE protest in Minneapolis. Graphic footage, taken by a bystander on Saturday, showed the moment the 37-year-old was gunned down by federal agents in front of screaming protesters. The video showed at least four masked federal agents wrestling the man, who was identified as Alex Jeffrey Pretti, to the ground before two others joined the skirmish and began hitting him. Moments later, several gunshots were heard, and the agents were seen springing to their feet. The man, who authorities claimed was armed, was seen lying motionless on the floor in the video. He was later confirmed dead by police. It is unclear from the footage who was responsible for the gunshots.” – Sunday Telegraph

• Video contradicts Trump’s claim man killed in Minneapolis was a ‘gunman’ – Observer
• Chilling new video reveals moment nurse Pretti shot dead – Sun on Sunday

Other political news

• Council leaders face being ousted after cancelling elections – Sunday Telegraph
• Farage attended Davos as adviser to Iranian billionaire – FT
• Pro-Gaza MP facing investigation over Oct 7 ‘atrocity denial’ – Sunday Telegraph

News in Brief