All articles tagged with #downing street
AP photo editors spotlight 15 years of Larry the cat, Britain’s Chief Mouser at 10 Downing Street, who has greeted dignitaries and remained a constant presence through multiple prime ministers.
Scottish Labour Leader Anas Sarwar publicly urged Keir Starmer to resign, arguing leadership change is needed as Downing Street faces turmoil after two top aides quit, while some Labour allies continue to back the prime minister.
Epstein file releases expose European officials with ties to the convicted financier, triggering resignations and investigations in the UK and Norway, while in the United States accountability remains more muted as lawmakers push for transparency and unredacted files; the disclosures also pull in high-profile business and tech figures, underscoring a stark gap between how allied governments and Washington respond to Epstein-linked scrutiny.
Tim Allan has stepped down as Downing Street's director of communications after around five months, the latest high‑profile departure from Keir Starmer's No.10 as he reshapes his inner circle following Morgan McSweeney's resignation and other staff exits.
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar calls for Prime Minister Keir Starmer to quit over the Mandelson US ambassadorship and Epstein links, but cabinet ministers publicly back Starmer as No.10 aides resign, signaling ongoing leadership tensions while reforms to the appointments process are discussed ahead of PLP meetings.
Morgan McSweeney has resigned as prime minister Keir Starmer's chief of staff, saying he takes full responsibility for advising Peter Mandelson's appointment; Starmer defends him, Badenoch says the move was 'about time', and the Labour government now faces questions over leadership and who will fill the role next amid ongoing Mandelson-related controversy.
While serving as UK Prime Minister, Tony Blair met Jeffrey Epstein in 2002 at Downing Street, facilitated by Lord Mandelson, with discussions reportedly about politics, science, and international markets; the meeting occurred before Epstein's criminal convictions were known, and Blair's office states the meeting lasted less than 30 minutes and involved no subsequent engagement.
Jessie Ross, inspired by her best friend Ruby Fuller who died of blood cancer at 18, has dedicated herself to campaigning for stem cell donations and blood cancer research. Their close friendship, marked by love and shared interests in social justice and Taylor Swift, has motivated Jessie to continue Ruby's legacy. Despite the immense loss, Jessie channels her love for Ruby into volunteering with the blood cancer charity Anthony Nolan and has been invited to Downing Street to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the organization. Ruby's family and friends are fundraising for research into blood cancer in her honor.
UK inflation dropped more than expected in October, reaching a two-year low of 4.6% compared to the previous month's 6.7%. The decline was driven by decreases in housing and household services, as well as food and non-alcoholic beverages. The Bank of England, which aims to bring inflation down to its 2% target, recently kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 5.25%. Economists believe that while the drop in inflation is positive, it is primarily due to falling energy costs and rising interest rates rather than government action. The decrease in inflation may prompt the central bank to maintain interest rates at its December meeting, but further progress towards the 2% target is expected to be gradual.
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his wife, Akshata Murty, celebrated Diwali with their family at 10 Downing Street in London, lighting diyas and sharing the festivities on social media. Sunak's daughters also joined the celebration. Sunak also met with India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who gifted him a Lord Ganesha statue and a cricket bat signed by Virat Kohli.
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty hosted a special Diwali event at Downing Street, welcoming guests from the Hindu community. The celebration, symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness, was attended by a large number of people. Sunak also discussed progress on the Free Trade Agreement with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and congratulated Team India on their strong performance in the ongoing Cricket World Cup.
Crowds gathered for a vigil outside Downing Street in support of the victims of the Hamas attacks on Israel, with some holding up pictures of those affected and lighting candles. Rishi Sunak joined prayers at a north London synagogue, promising to keep the British Jewish community safe. Meanwhile, three arrests were made during a pro-Palestinian demonstration near the Israeli embassy. The death toll in Israel has reached 900 since the surprise attack, while retaliatory strikes on Gaza have killed almost 690. Israel has ordered a "complete siege" of the Gaza Strip, cutting off essential supplies.
The UK parliament has voted to uphold a finding that Boris Johnson knowingly misled lawmakers when he said that Covid lockdown rules had been followed at all times in Downing Street while he was prime minister. The vote passed the House of Commons by 354 to 7. Johnson would have been sanctioned with a lengthy ban from parliament and denied a pass to access the building, a right afforded to former members of parliament. But Johnson has already stood down as an MP, so will neither serve the ban nor face the by-election that would have been triggered as a result of the ban.
The man who crashed his car into the gates of the British prime minister's residence in London was released pending further investigation into the incident, but was immediately rearrested on charges of making indecent images of children. The collision was not believed to be terror-related and no one was injured. The suspect will appear in court on Saturday for the unrelated charge.
The man who crashed his car into the gates of Downing Street has been charged with making indecent images of children. The 43-year-old had been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and dangerous driving but was released under investigation. He will appear in court over the unrelated matter of making indecent images of children. The incident is not being treated as terror-related.