Politics latest: Starmer says he has uncovered more Tory 'mess'; Robert Jenrick joins Tory leadership race (2024)

As it's Sophy Ridge's last show before the summer break, we're having an end-of-term quiz.

Count Binface is facing off against our panellists Nick Ferrari and Dawn Butler.

In what might come as a shock, the alien candidate manages to beat the two political veterans.

Mr Ferrari says the quiz competition is ridiculous in giving the Count easier questions - although he only raises this point when his team falls behind.

And with that, the Politic Hub with Sophy Ridge finishes.

Rishi Sunak is currently the leader of the Conservative Party, in a caretaker role, until his replacement is announced in November.

He has previously said he will stay as the MP for Richmond and Northallerton until the next election.

But Dawn Butler, the Labour MP, does not think the former PM will do.

She bets our other panellist, Nick Ferrari, £50 Mr Sunak will stand down as an MP at some point before the next general election.

The pair shake hands on the wager - pledging the winnings will go to charity.

On the leadership election, Ms Butler says it "doesn't really matter" who takes over - but the race will be "entertaining".

"I'm looking forward to getting some popcorn and just sitting back," she says.

Mr Ferrari reckons the next leader might take up a "Michael Howard role" - and reform the party before being replaced by someone else who could win an election.

A current Labour donor and former support of Just Stop Oil, Dale Vince has been outspoken on his calls for action on green energy.

Speaking to the Politics Hub, he praises Labour's start in government.

But he calls for Sir Keir Starmer to go further on green energy and offshore wind.

He says: "I hope we actually build the projects ourselves as a nation and own them."

Mr Vince goes on to say that is the way to get "the real benefits from our natural resources", and "keep them for our country in perpetuity".

He says the government has pledged £8bn for offshore energy, and if this is used to borrow like it has done in the private sector, around £70bn to £80bn could be raised to invest.

The green campaigner says he backs Labour's plans to build more homes in the UK, as he says Labour are pursuing "green growth".

Asked about the expansion of Heathrow Airport with a third runway, Mr Vince says he hopes it does not get green-lit by the government.

Sarah Jones, the energy minister, has given Sophy a bit more detail about what GB Energy is really about.

The actual role of the body has been somewhat murky since Labour proposed it.

Ms Jones said: "So you won't be buying your energy directly from GB Energy - that is something that a whole different set of companies do.

"Where GB Energy will be, is in the business of generating the energy in the first place."

She adds that the body will do things like study the seabed around the UK - which is owned by the Crown - to provide information for wind farms and the companies that will build them.

Moving onto the wider brief on green policy, Ms Jones is asked about a report last week saying that the UK is not on track to meet the net zero by 2030 policy.

Ms Jones says the government will need to "work really hard to meet these changes" - and says the actions of the previous government have had some impacts.

She highlights the ban on the sales of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030 - which was scrapped by the Conservatives.

Ms Jones says reinstating this target straight away would cause issues for automotive companies, and so they can't rush putting the target back.

One of the topics up for discussion tonight is reporting about tomorrow's deadline for countries to confirm challenges against the International Criminal Court's arrest warrants for Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

There is a suggestion Sir Keir Starmer might drop the UK's objection to the warrant - launched under the last government.

The deadline to confirm the appeal is tomorrow.

Dawn Butler, the Labour MP, tells Sophy it's important to get the decision "absolutely correct".

She adds: "I believe that there will be some announcements made, and I also believe that there may be, publishing the legal advice as well.

"I think it is important if there's legal advice that it is published.

"It's important, if there's been any breaches [of law] that's then tackled.

"And I also think it's important the ICC ruling isn't actually challenged because we take the rule of law seriously.

"And I think the prime minister, Sir Keir Starmer, has said that he does, so I'm hoping that would be the outcome."

Tonight's episode of the Politics Hub with Sophy Ridge is under way.

Follow along with us live.

The guests include Dale Vince, the Labour donor who used to support Just Stop Oil, and energy minister Sarah Jones.

Meanwhile, our panel will include broadcaster Nick Ferrari and Labour MP Dawn Butler.

And Count Binface will be joining us for a special segment during the programme.

WatchPolitics Hub With Sophy Ridgefrom 7pm on Sky channel 501, Virgin channel 602, Freeview channel 233, on theSky News websiteandappor onYouTube.

By Serena Barker-Singh, political correspondent

When Labour got into government, they described prisons as a powder keg ready to blow.

Ministers blamed the previous Conservative administration for pushing the prison system almost to breaking point, and they acknowledged something campaigners had been saying for years - the entire system is in crisis.

But now Labour are in government and it is their responsibility to fix the entire justice system. Today, they made their first step.

Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood brought legislation to the House of Commons that will allow some prisoners to be released early.

Approved by MPs today and starting from September, it will kickstart Labour's plan to release thousands of non-violent prisoners who have served 40% of their sentences in the hope it frees up spaces for more violent offenders.

The government says certain crimes will be excluded, including those sentenced for serious violent offences of four years or more and all sex offences.

Read Serena's full analysis below:

Following our earlier reporting of an update from the Afghanistan inquiry, we've now heard from Johnny Mercer himself.

Mr Mercer has been threatened with prison time if he does not hand over the name of former service people he spoke to about the actions of special forces in Afghanistan.

While the inquiry says they have received new information, Mr Mercer says he will not be handing over the names.

He said on social media: "As I have repeatedly stated, it remains entirely inappropriate to name those who confided in me without their consent.

"For the avoidance of doubt: I have not and I will not. I will always assist the inquiry, outside of those parameters.

"This process has placed an unacceptable strain on me and my family. I am no longer a public figure; I will not be commenting further."

Tonight marks Sophy Ridge's last episode of the Politics Hub before the summer break - although Ali Fortescue will be back tomorrow to present one more edition tomorrow night.

Coming up on today's episode, we'll be speaking to a swathe of people.

This includes Dale Vince, the Labour donor who used to support Just Stop Oil, and energy minister Sarah Jones.

Meanwhile, our panel will include broadcaster Nick Ferrari and Labour MP Dawn Butler.

And Count Binface will be joining us for a special segment at the during the programme.

WatchPolitics Hub With Sophy Ridgefrom 7pm on Sky channel 501, Virgin channel 602, Freeview channel 233, on theSky News websiteandappor onYouTube.

We've had an update on Johnny Mercer, the former veteran's minister and MP, and the threat he was under to be jailed.

This was down to his refusal to comply with the wishes of a statutory inquiry - in this case the investigation into the UK's special forces in Afghanistan.

Mr Mercer had previously refused to name service people who had spoken to him.

A deadline for him to comply with the inquiry was today, and a spokesperson for the investigation has now said: "Mr Mercer has provided further information in response to the Section 21 notice and agreed to assist the Inquiry further.

"The inquiry team will be taking this forward.

"For the time being, the chair will not be taking further action in relation to the Section 21 Notice or making further comment."